CVE-2021-24369 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

WordPress Payments Plugin GetPaid version 2.3.4 and below allows users with the contributor role to inject malicious content, leading to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2021-24369

This CVE identifies an Authenticated Stored XSS vulnerability in the GetPaid WordPress plugin before version 2.3.4.

What is CVE-2021-24369?

The CVE-2021-24369 vulnerability in GetPaid plugin allows users with specific roles to insert malicious content like img tags, resulting in a Stored Cross-Site Scripting issue that could lead to privilege escalation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24369

The vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access through malicious content injection, potentially compromising user data and system integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24369

GetPaid plugin version 2.3.4 and below are susceptible to an Authenticated Stored XSS exploit.

Vulnerability Description

Improper sanitization of input fields in Label and Help Text sections allows contributors and above roles to inject harmful content, leading to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting threat.

Affected Systems and Versions

GetPaid plugin versions earlier than 2.3.4 are impacted by this vulnerability, specifically affecting users with contributor privileges.

Exploitation Mechanism

Users with contributor access or higher can abuse the Label and Help Text input fields to insert malicious content, triggering a Stored Cross-Site Scripting situation upon form editing.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigation strategies involve immediate actions and long-term security practices to secure systems from CVE-2021-24369.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the GetPaid plugin to version 2.3.4 or later to mitigate the Authenticated Stored XSS vulnerability. Additionally, restrict contributor privileges to prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust input validation and output sanitization mechanisms to prevent Cross-Site Scripting attacks, ensuring safe user interactions within the WordPress platform.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor and apply security patches provided by plugin vendors to address known vulnerabilities and maintain the security of WordPress websites.