CVE-2021-24559 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Discover how the Stored XSS and CSRF vulnerabilities in Qyrr WordPress plugin before 0.7 expose systems to attacks. Learn about impacts, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
A Stored XSS vulnerability in the Qyrr WordPress plugin before version 0.7 allows for Cross-Site Scripting attacks and CSRF exploitation, impacting systems running version less than 0.7.
Understanding CVE-2021-24559
This CVE discloses a security issue in the Qyrr WordPress plugin that can be exploited by authenticated users to perform Stored XSS attacks.
What is CVE-2021-24559?
The Qyrr plugin prior to version 0.7 fails to properly sanitize the data-uri of the QR Code, enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser.
The Impact of CVE-2021-24559
This vulnerability allows an authenticated user, even with a Contributor role, to inject malicious data-uri into QR Code posts, leading to a Stored XSS issue and potential CSRF attacks.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-24559
The security flaw arises due to the absence of data-uri escaping, enabling the injection of arbitrary code into the src attribute. The data_uri_to_meta AJAX action lacks proper CSRF protection, allowing users with low-level roles to exploit the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The Qyrr WordPress plugin fails to escape the data-uri of the QR Code, facilitating Cross-Site Scripting attacks. The data_uri_to_meta AJAX action lacks adequate CSRF mitigation, permitting unauthorized users to inject malicious data-uri into QR Code posts.
Affected Systems and Versions
Systems running Qyrr plugin versions less than 0.7 are vulnerable to this exploit.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with authenticated access and as low as Contributor role can abuse the lack of escaping in data-uri to execute Stored XSS attacks.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2021-24559, users are advised to update the Qyrr WordPress plugin to version 0.7 or newer to mitigate the risk of Stored XSS and CSRF attacks.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update the Qyrr plugin to version 0.7 or above.
- Monitor for any suspicious activity or unauthorized changes in QR Code posts.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly audit and update plugins to their latest versions.
- Educate users on secure practices to prevent CSRF and XSS exploits.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security patches and updates released by the Qyrr plugin maintainers to safeguard against known vulnerabilities.