CVE-2021-24618 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-24618, a vulnerability found in the Donate With QRCode WordPress plugin.

Understanding CVE-2021-24618

CVE-2021-24618 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Donate With QRCode WordPress plugin versions prior to 1.4.5.

What is CVE-2021-24618?

The vulnerability arises from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize or escape its QRCode Image setting, enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a site visitor's session.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24618

The absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) and access control checks allows even low-privileged users to exploit this vulnerability, compromising the security of affected WordPress sites.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24618

This section outlines specific technical details of the CVE-2021-24618 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The Donate With QRCode plugin does not adequately sanitize the QRCode Image setting, leading to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

The issue impacts Donate With QRCode plugin versions earlier than 1.4.5, leaving them vulnerable to XSS attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the plugin's QRCode Image setting, potentially executing malicious scripts on vulnerable websites.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard WordPress sites from CVE-2021-24618, immediate steps and long-term security practices are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators are advised to update the Donate With QRCode plugin to version 1.4.5 or later to mitigate the XSS vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust input validation and output encoding practices to prevent XSS attacks, emphasizing secure coding practices.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor and apply security patches released by plugin developers to address known vulnerabilities and enhance WordPress site security.