CVE-2021-24538 : Security Advisory and Response

The Current Book WordPress plugin version 1.0.1 and below is vulnerable to an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue due to inadequate user input sanitization and escaping when handling Author or Book Title fields.

Understanding CVE-2021-24538

This CVE refers to a security vulnerability present in the Current Book WordPress plugin, allowing authenticated users to inject malicious scripts through input fields.

What is CVE-2021-24538?

The Current Book WordPress plugin up to version 1.0.1 fails to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied data, leading to a potential Authenticated Stored XSS vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24538

The vulnerability could be exploited by authenticated users to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users, potentially leading to account compromise, data theft, or unauthorized actions on the WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24538

The following technical aspects outline the vulnerability in detail:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw occurs due to the plugin's failure to sanitize and escape data provided by authenticated users, enabling the injection of malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Current Book WordPress plugin versions equal to or below 1.0.1.

Exploitation Mechanism

By inputting specially crafted scripts into the Author or Book Title fields, authenticated users can execute arbitrary code within the plugin's context, posing a significant security risk.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-24538 and enhance overall security posture, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Current Book plugin to the latest version to eliminate the vulnerability.
Avoid granting unnecessary privileges to users to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit user input handling mechanisms within WordPress plugins.
Educate users about safe practices when entering data to prevent XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by the plugin developer to promptly address new vulnerabilities and protect your WordPress installation.