CVE-2021-24596 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The youForms for WordPress plugin version 1.0.5 and earlier contains a vulnerability that enables high privilege users to execute Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-24596

This CVE-2021-24596 affects youForms for WordPress plugin versions 1.0.5 and below, allowing authenticated high privilege users to exploit Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities.

What is CVE-2021-24596?

The vulnerability in youForms for WordPress plugin version 1.0.5 and earlier allows editors and admins to launch Cross-Site Scripting attacks despite restrictions on the unfiltered_html capability.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24596

The impact of this vulnerability is that high privilege users can inject malicious scripts into the Button Text field of Templates, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24596

The technical details of CVE-2021-24596 include:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from the lack of sanitization in the Button Text field of Templates, granting unauthorized users the ability to leverage the XSS vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions of the youForms for WordPress plugin up to and including 1.0.5 are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

By inserting malicious scripts into the Button Text field of Templates, high privilege users can execute XSS attacks even if unfiltered_html capability is disallowed.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2021-24596, the following steps are recommended:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the youForms for WordPress plugin to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict the privileges of user roles with access to high-risk functionality.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review user permissions and capabilities within the WordPress environment.
Educate users on secure coding practices and the risks associated with XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories related to WordPress plugins and ensure timely installation of updates and patches to safeguard against known vulnerabilities.