CVE-2021-24420 : What You Need to Know

A detailed analysis of the CVE-2021-24420 vulnerability in the Request a Quote WordPress plugin version less than 2.3.4, leading to Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting issues.

Understanding CVE-2021-24420

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in the Request a Quote WordPress plugin that could allow an attacker to execute stored cross-site scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2021-24420?

The Request a Quote WordPress plugin before version 2.3.4 fails to properly sanitize and escape certain quote fields when an admin is adding or editing a quote. This oversight results in stored cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, particularly when the quote is displayed in the 'All Quotes' table.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24420

The presence of this vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to inject malicious scripts into the application, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the website. This could lead to various attacks, including data theft, unauthorized actions, and defacement.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24420

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from the lack of proper sanitization and escaping of quote fields in the Request a Quote plugin versions prior to 2.3.4, enabling malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts within the application.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is 'Request a Quote' plugin with versions prior to 2.3.4. Users with these versions are at risk of exploitation if proper mitigation measures are not taken.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, authenticated attackers can embed malicious code into quotes, which gets executed when the quote is displayed in the 'All Quotes' section, potentially leading to harmful consequences.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss the immediate steps to take to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2021-24420, as well as long-term security practices and the importance of timely patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators are advised to update the Request a Quote WordPress plugin to version 2.3.4 or higher to eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, thorough security testing and monitoring are recommended to detect any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and educating users about safe computing habits can enhance the overall security posture and mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches and updates provided by the plugin developers is crucial to remediate known vulnerabilities and ensure the protection of the WordPress site against emerging threats.