CVE-2021-24646 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Critical XSS vulnerability in Booking.com Banner Creator < 1.4.3 WordPress plugin allows high privilege users to execute malicious scripts. Update to version 1.4.3 for security.
The Booking.com Banner Creator WordPress plugin before version 1.4.3 is vulnerable to a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack, allowing high privilege users to execute malicious scripts.
Understanding CVE-2021-24646
This CVE involves the Booking.com Banner Creator plugin in WordPress, which fails to properly sanitize inputs, leading to a critical XSS vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-24646?
The Booking.com Banner Creator plugin version less than 1.4.3 is prone to a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue due to inadequate input sanitization.
The Impact of CVE-2021-24646
The vulnerability could be exploited by high privilege users to launch XSS attacks, even when the unfiltered_html capability is disabled. This could result in unauthorized script execution.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-24646
This section covers specific technical details about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw arises from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize inputs when creating banners, leading to the potential execution of arbitrary scripts by attackers.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability affects Booking.com Banner Creator plugin versions less than 1.4.3.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with high privilege can inject malicious scripts using the plugin's functionality to create banners, bypassing security restrictions.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2021-24646 and enhance security measures, the following steps are recommended:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update the Booking.com Banner Creator plugin to version 1.4.3 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor user-generated content for any malicious scripts.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly audit and sanitize user inputs within your WordPress plugins to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.
- Educate users on secure practices to minimize the risk of exploitation.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security updates for all installed plugins and apply patches promptly to safeguard your WordPress website.