CVE-2021-24518 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2021-24518 affecting WPFront Notification Bar plugin < 2.0.0.07176. Discover the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps against this XSS vulnerability.
The WPFront Notification Bar WordPress plugin before version 2.0.0.07176 is affected by an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability that allows high privilege users to inject XSS payloads via the Custom CSS setting.
Understanding CVE-2021-24518
This CVE involves an XSS vulnerability in the WPFront Notification Bar plugin for WordPress, enabling authenticated users to execute malicious scripts.
What is CVE-2021-24518?
The WPFront Notification Bar plugin (version < 2.0.0.07176) fails to properly sanitize the Custom CSS input, enabling admins to perform XSS attacks, even when unfiltered_html capability is restricted.
The Impact of CVE-2021-24518
This vulnerability could allow attackers to inject harmful scripts that may compromise user data, perform unauthorized actions, or deface websites using the affected plugin.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-24518
The technical details of this CVE include:
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises from a lack of input sanitization in the Custom CSS setting, granting high privilege users the ability to input XSS payloads.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: WPFront Notification Bar
- Vendor: Unknown
- Versions Affected: < 2.0.0.07176
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially designed XSS payloads and injecting them into the Custom CSS setting, leveraging the admin privileges.
Mitigation and Prevention
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-24518, consider taking the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update the WPFront Notification Bar plugin to version 2.0.0.07176 or higher.
- Monitor and restrict access to the Custom CSS feature.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update all WordPress plugins and themes.
- Implement least privilege access controls to limit the impact of an XSS attack.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security updates for the WPFront Notification Bar plugin and apply patches promptly to protect your WordPress site from potential XSS attacks.