CVE-2021-24549 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A detailed overview of the CVE-2021-24549 vulnerability affecting AceIDE WordPress plugin version 2.6.2.

Understanding CVE-2021-24549

This section provides insights into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to the CVE-2021-24549 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-24549?

The AceIDE WordPress plugin version 2.6.2 is vulnerable to an authenticated arbitrary file access issue that allows high privilege users such as administrators to access any file on the web server outside of the blog directory via a path traversal attack.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24549

The lack of input sanitization in the plugin's functionality enables unauthorized users to read arbitrary files located on the server. This security flaw poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data stored on the web server.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24549

This section delves into the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism associated with CVE-2021-24549.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input before using it in various actions, leading to unauthorized access to server files.

Affected Systems and Versions

AceIDE WordPress plugin versions <= 2.6.2 are susceptible to this security flaw, impacting users who have installed or are using this specific version of the plugin.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with authenticated (admin+) privileges can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating user input to access files outside the intended directory structure, compromising system security.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-24549.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the AceIDE plugin to a secure version and monitor server logs for any suspicious activities indicating unauthorized access attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strict input validation mechanisms, regular security audits, and user access controls can enhance the overall security posture of the WordPress environment.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by the plugin vendor and promptly apply updates to eliminate known vulnerabilities and protect your system from potential exploitation.