CVE-2021-24656 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The Simple Social Media Share Buttons WordPress plugin before version 3.2.4 is prone to an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability due to improper handling of Share Title settings.

Understanding CVE-2021-24656

This CVE describes a security issue in the Simple Social Media Share Buttons plugin that allows high-privilege users to execute Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed.

What is CVE-2021-24656?

The vulnerability in the Simple Social Media Share Buttons WordPress plugin (less than version 3.2.4) enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into frontend pages or posts through the Share Title settings, potentially compromising user data.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24656

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to bypass security restrictions and execute arbitrary code on the affected website, leading to potential data theft, user impersonation, and other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24656

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize Share Title settings, enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users, thereby exploiting their privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Systems running Simple Social Media Share Buttons plugin versions prior to 3.2.4 are vulnerable to this exploit. Users are urged to update to the latest version to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with high-privilege access can exploit this vulnerability by inserting specially crafted scripts in the Share Title settings. When rendered on frontend pages or posts, these scripts execute in the user's browser, leading to XSS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure systems against CVE-2021-24656 and similar vulnerabilities, immediate action and long-term security practices are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should update the Simple Social Media Share Buttons plugin to version 3.2.4 or higher to remediate the vulnerability. Additionally, reviewing user permissions and monitoring for suspicious activities are recommended.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security audits, and educating users on safe browsing habits can enhance overall security posture and reduce the risk of XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Developers are advised to stay informed about security patches released by plugin vendors, promptly applying updates to eliminate known vulnerabilities and reinforce the platform's security.