CVE-2021-24451 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed look into the CVE-2021-24451 vulnerability affecting the Export Users With Meta WordPress plugin.

Understanding CVE-2021-24451

This CVE identifies an authenticated SQL Injection vulnerability in the Export Users With Meta WordPress plugin versions prior to 0.6.5.

What is CVE-2021-24451?

The vulnerability in Export Users With Meta allows admins to export user roles, but it fails to properly escape the roles before using them in a SQL statement. This flaw enables authenticated users to execute SQL Injection attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24451

Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, and potentially complete takeover of the affected WordPress site, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24451

A deeper dive into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-24451 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The lack of proper role escaping in the Export Users With Meta plugin allows attackers to inject malicious SQL queries, compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the WordPress site's database.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions of the Export Users With Meta plugin prior to 0.6.5 are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing WordPress sites to potential exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the SQL Injection flaw in the plugin, authenticated users can manipulate SQL queries to access, modify, or delete sensitive data stored in the WordPress site's database.

Mitigation and Prevention

Best practices to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-24451.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update: Ensure the Export Users With Meta plugin is updated to version 0.6.5 or later to patch the SQL Injection vulnerability.
Monitoring: Regularly monitor site activity for any signs of unauthorized access or data manipulation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Code Review: Conduct thorough code reviews to identify and address security vulnerabilities in plugins before deployment.
User Permissions: Restrict user roles with minimal privileges to reduce the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay vigilant for security updates released by plugin developers and promptly apply patches to protect WordPress sites from known vulnerabilities.