CVE-2021-24523 : Security Advisory and Response

The Daily Prayer Time WordPress plugin version before 2021.08.10 is susceptible to Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) due to inadequate sanitization of settings.

Understanding CVE-2021-24523

This CVE refers to a security vulnerability found in the Daily Prayer Time WordPress plugin prior to version 2021.08.10, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts in a victim's browser.

What is CVE-2021-24523?

The vulnerability in the Daily Prayer Time plugin arises from unescaped settings outputted on the page, enabling authenticated users to inject and store malicious scripts, potentially leading to XSS attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24523

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, steal sensitive information, and perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, compromising the security and integrity of WordPress sites using the affected plugin.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24523

This section delves deeper into the technical aspects of the CVE, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-controlled input before displaying it, allowing attackers with sufficient privileges to inject and execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Daily Prayer Time plugin versions prior to 2021.08.10 are affected by this CVE. Sites running these vulnerable versions are at risk of exploitation by authenticated attackers.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating specific settings within the Daily Prayer Time plugin, leveraging the lack of input sanitization to store and execute malicious scripts when the settings are rendered on the page.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent the risks associated with CVE-2021-24523, immediate steps should be taken, coupled with long-term security practices and ensuring timely patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of the Daily Prayer Time plugin should immediately update to version 2021.08.10 or later to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, monitoring for any unauthorized activities on the site is crucial to detect potential malicious scripts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security measures, such as regular security audits, user input validation, and least privilege principles, can enhance the overall security posture of WordPress sites and mitigate the impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Plugin developers should prioritize security in their development process, conduct thorough code reviews, implement input validation mechanisms, and release timely patches and updates to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-24523.