CVE-2021-24465 : What You Need to Know

This article delves into the details of CVE-2021-24465, a SQL Injection vulnerability in the Meow Gallery WordPress plugin before version 4.1.9. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies associated with this CVE.

Understanding CVE-2021-24465

CVE-2021-24465 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the Meow Gallery WordPress plugin version 4.1.9 and below. The plugin fails to properly sanitize user input, leading to a security issue that could potentially result in data disclosure and object manipulation.

What is CVE-2021-24465?

The Meow Gallery WordPress plugin before version 4.1.9 is susceptible to SQL Injection. This allows authenticated users with low privileges, such as Contributors, to exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious SQL queries, potentially compromising the integrity of the database.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24465

The SQL Injection vulnerability in the Meow Gallery plugin could enable attackers to manipulate data, disclose sensitive information, and even execute arbitrary code by exploiting the inadequately sanitized user input. This poses a significant security risk to websites that have this plugin installed, especially for those with multiple user roles.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24465

The following technical aspects outline the vulnerability in detail:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize, validate, or escape the ids attribute in its gallery shortcode, which can be exploited through SQL injection techniques.

Affected Systems and Versions

Meow Gallery versions prior to 4.1.9 are impacted by this vulnerability. Websites running these versions are susceptible to potential SQL Injection attacks by authenticated users such as Contributors.

Exploitation Mechanism

By crafting specifically designed input, attackers can inject SQL queries through the vulnerable gallery shortcode, leading to unauthorized access, data retrieval, and manipulation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your website from CVE-2021-24465, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Meow Gallery plugin to version 4.1.9 or higher to eliminate the SQL Injection vulnerability.
Monitor user-generated content and validate user inputs to prevent malicious SQL injection attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review plugins and themes for security vulnerabilities.
Implement strict input validation and parameterized queries to mitigate SQL Injection risks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by plugin developers and ensure prompt installation to mitigate known vulnerabilities.