CVE-2021-24438 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-24438, a vulnerability in the ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics WordPress plugin before version 2.5.2 that could lead to a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack.

Understanding CVE-2021-24438

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-24438 vulnerability in the ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics WordPress plugin.

What is CVE-2021-24438?

The ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics WordPress plugin before 2.5.2 fails to sanitize or escape the 'ga_action' parameter, allowing an attacker to execute a reflected Cross-Site Scripting attack in the context of a logged-in administrator.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24438

Exploiting this vulnerability could potentially compromise the security and integrity of the WordPress site administrators who are using the affected version of the plugin.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24438

This section provides technical insights into the CVE-2021-24438 vulnerability, including how it can be exploited and the systems affected.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the inadequate sanitization of the 'ga_action' parameter in the stats view of the ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics plugin, allowing for the injection of malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics WordPress plugin that are earlier than version 2.5.2.

Exploitation Mechanism

By crafting a malicious link and enticing a logged-in administrator to click on it, an attacker can execute arbitrary scripts in the administrator's context.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-24438 and prevent such vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

WordPress site administrators should update the ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics plugin to version 2.5.2 or higher to address this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, regular security audits, and staying informed about plugin updates can help prevent similar security issues.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring and applying security patches issued by plugin developers is crucial to maintaining the security of WordPress sites.