CVE-2021-24455 : What You Need to Know

Tutor LMS plugin version before 1.9.2 is vulnerable to an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue. An attacker with low privileges could trigger privilege escalation, posing a risk to sensitive data.

Understanding CVE-2021-24455

This CVE affects Tutor LMS WordPress plugin versions prior to 1.9.2, allowing an attacker to execute malicious scripts by exploiting a vulnerability in the Summary field of Announcements.

What is CVE-2021-24455?

The CVE-2021-24455 vulnerability in Tutor LMS plugin allows low-privileged users to execute stored XSS attacks, potentially leading to privilege escalation when viewed by an admin.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24455

The impact of this vulnerability is the ability to execute malicious scripts within the plugin, potentially leading to privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24455

This section provides insights into the specific technical details of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation in the Summary field of Announcements, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts that can be triggered when viewing the Announcements list.

Affected Systems and Versions

Tutor LMS plugin versions prior to 1.9.2 are affected by this CVE, exposing websites to the risk of stored XSS attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers, including low-privileged users, can exploit the vulnerability in the Summary field of Announcements to execute malicious scripts and potentially escalate their privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-24455, it is crucial to implement immediate steps and adopt long-term security practices to safeguard against similar vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the Tutor LMS plugin to version 1.9.2 or above to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring and restricting user permissions can help prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporating secure coding practices, regular security audits, and staying informed about plugin updates and security patches can enhance the overall security posture of WordPress websites that utilize Tutor LMS.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying patches and updates provided by Tutor LMS developers is essential to addressing security vulnerabilities and ensuring the ongoing protection of WordPress websites.