CVE-2021-24613 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides details about CVE-2021-24613, a vulnerability found in the Post Views Counter WordPress plugin version 1.3.5 and below, allowing for Authenticated Stored XSS attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-24613

This section covers the basics of CVE-2021-24613, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-24613?

The vulnerability in the Post Views Counter plugin versions prior to 1.3.5 enables high privilege users to execute Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks through the Post Views Label settings.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24613

Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized code execution on the frontend of WordPress sites, even when unfiltered_html capability is disallowed.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24613

This section elaborates on the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the lack of sanitization or escaping in the Post Views Label settings of the affected plugin versions.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the Post Views Counter plugin that are older than 1.3.5.

Exploitation Mechanism

High privilege users can inject malicious scripts using the Post Views Label settings, potentially leading to XSS attacks on the frontend.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here we discuss the steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-24613.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should update the plugin to version 1.3.5 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious activities is recommended.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, regular security assessments, and educating users about XSS risks can help prevent similar issues in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches and staying informed about plugin updates can further enhance the security posture of WordPress sites.