CVE-2021-24477 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article provides details about CVE-2021-24477, a vulnerability affecting the Migrate Users WordPress plugin version 1.0.1 and below, leading to CSRF to Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack.

Understanding CVE-2021-24477

This section will cover what CVE-2021-24477 is and its impact on affected systems.

What is CVE-2021-24477?

The Migrate Users WordPress plugin version 1.0.1 and below is vulnerable to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue due to inadequate sanitization of its Delimiter option. Additionally, the plugin lacks CSRF protection when saving options, making it exploitable via a CSRF attack.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24477

Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized execution of malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially compromising sensitive data and performing actions on behalf of the user.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24477

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the Migrate Users plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages, posing a risk of XSS attacks. Furthermore, the absence of CSRF protection exposes users to unauthorized settings modifications through CSRF attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Migrate Users plugin version 1.0.1 and below are confirmed to be impacted by this vulnerability, making websites using these versions susceptible to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can craft malicious requests, exploiting the lack of CSRF protection to save malicious settings that trigger XSS payloads, potentially compromising user data and performing unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-24477 and prevent potential exploits.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should update the Migrate Users plugin to a secure version that contains patches for the XSS and CSRF vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can mitigate the impact of XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories for the plugin and apply updates promptly to address new vulnerabilities. Conduct security assessments to identify and remediate XSS and CSRF vulnerabilities in web applications.

Patching and Updates

Maintain a proactive approach to security by keeping all software components, including plugins and libraries, up to date to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.