CVE-2021-24593 : Security Advisory and Response

The Business Hours Indicator WordPress plugin before version 2.3.5 is affected by an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability. This CVE-2021-24593 allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the 'Now closed message' setting, leading to potential exploitation.

Understanding CVE-2021-24593

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of the vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-24593?

The Business Hours Indicator plugin, when below version 2.3.5, is vulnerable to Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting. Attackers can exploit this by injecting malicious code into the 'Now closed message' field.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24593

The impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows authenticated attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the affected site, potentially leading to data theft or website defacement.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24593

Explore the specific technical details of this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The lack of proper sanitization and escaping of user inputs in the 'Now closed message' setting of Business Hours Indicator plugin versions before 2.3.5 enables attackers to perform Authenticated Stored XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Business Hours Indicator plugin versions less than 2.3.5 are affected by this vulnerability. Users with versions below this should take immediate action to secure their systems.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an authenticated attacker can input malicious scripts into the 'Now closed message' setting of the affected plugin, leading to the execution of arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-24593.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators are advised to update the Business Hours Indicator plugin to version 2.3.5 or higher to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation and output sanitization practices to defend against XSS attacks and other security vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor for plugin updates and security patches. Promptly apply updates to ensure your WordPress site is protected against known vulnerabilities.