CVE-2021-24574 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Simple Banner WordPress plugin before version 2.10.4 is vulnerable to an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack, enabling high privilege users to execute malicious scripts despite restrictions. Read on to understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2021-24574

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2021-24574 vulnerability in the Simple Banner WordPress plugin.

What is CVE-2021-24574?

The Simple Banner WordPress plugin before version 2.10.4 fails to properly sanitize one of its settings, allowing privileged users like admins to inject Cross-Site Scripting payloads even when restricted.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24574

The vulnerability poses a significant security risk as it enables attackers with elevated permissions to execute malicious scripts, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24574

Explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-24574 vulnerability to gain insights into its operation.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the Simple Banner plugin allows authenticated users to insert malicious scripts through unsanitized settings, circumventing security restrictions and posing an XSS threat.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Simple Banner versions earlier than 2.10.4, leaving WordPress sites with these versions vulnerable to authenticated stored XSS attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the lack of sanitization in one of the plugin settings, attackers can craft malicious payloads and execute XSS attacks, leveraging the high privileges granted to authenticated users.

Mitigation and Prevention

Take necessary steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-24574, safeguarding your WordPress site from potential attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Simple Banner plugin to version 2.10.4 or later to patch the vulnerability and prevent exploitation.
Monitor user activity and restrict untrusted users from accessing sensitive features to minimize the impact of XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and update plugins to ensure they are free from security vulnerabilities and are actively maintained by developers.
Educate users on safe practices to mitigate the risk of XSS attacks through social engineering or other means.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates for all installed plugins, promptly applying them to eliminate known vulnerabilities and enhance WordPress site security.