CVE-2021-24412 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

The Html5 Audio Player – Audio Player for WordPress plugin before version 2.1.3 is vulnerable to stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) due to improper parameter validation in its shortcode, allowing contributors or higher roles to embed malicious scripts.

Understanding CVE-2021-24412

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in the Html5 Audio Player – Audio Player for WordPress plugin, affecting versions prior to 2.1.3.

What is CVE-2021-24412?

The plugin fails to properly sanitize and validate inputs from its shortcode, enabling malicious users with contributor access or above to inject XSS payloads that execute when the compromised shortcode is rendered on affected pages.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24412

This vulnerability exposes websites using the Html5 Audio Player plugin to potential cross-site scripting attacks, which can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24412

The following technical aspects outline the vulnerability in detail:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows authenticated users with contributor privileges or higher to insert malicious scripts via the plugin's shortcode, leading to XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Html5 Audio Player – Audio Player for WordPress plugin versions prior to 2.1.3 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the lack of input validation in the plugin's shortcode, attackers can inject harmful scripts that execute in the context of the user's browser, posing a significant risk to website security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your system from potential exploits related to CVE-2021-24412, consider the following security measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Html5 Audio Player plugin to version 2.1.3 or later to address the vulnerability.
Regularly audit and review user roles and permissions to restrict access to critical functionalities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement proper input validation and output encoding in WordPress plugins and themes to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.
Educate users about safe practices when adding content or using shortcodes on websites.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by plugin developers to quickly apply fixes for known vulnerabilities.