CVE-2021-24494 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides details about CVE-2021-24494, a vulnerability associated with the WP Offload SES Lite WordPress plugin version 1.4.5 and earlier.

Understanding CVE-2021-24494

This CVE discloses a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WP Offload SES Lite plugin versions prior to 1.4.5.

What is CVE-2021-24494?

The flaw in the WP Offload SES Lite WordPress plugin before version 1.4.5 allowed attackers to exploit certain unescaped fields in the admin dashboard Activity page, potentially leading to XSS issues.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24494

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could enable an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of a logged-in admin user, particularly when viewing the Activity tab of the plugin.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24494

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability associated with CVE-2021-24494.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in WP Offload SES Lite plugin versions earlier than 1.4.5 arises from inadequate escaping of certain fields in the admin dashboard Activity page, like email IDs, subjects, and recipients. This oversight could facilitate Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is WP Offload SES Lite by Delicious Brains. Versions less than 1.4.5 are susceptible to this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by controlling fields such as the subject, email ID, or recipient, for instance, in a contact form, allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2021-24494, it is crucial to take immediate steps to remediate the vulnerability and implement long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update WP Offload SES Lite to version 1.4.5 or later to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, monitor for any suspicious activity that could indicate an XSS attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Developers are advised to sanitize and escape user inputs to prevent XSS attacks in their plugins. Regular security audits and strict coding practices can help maintain the integrity of WordPress installations.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by plugin vendors and apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities.