CVE-2021-24678 : Security Advisory and Response

A Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability has been identified in the CM Tooltip Glossary WordPress plugin before version 3.9.21. This security flaw could allow users with roles as low as Contributor to execute malicious scripts.

Understanding CVE-2021-24678

This CVE-2021-24678 affects the CM Tooltip Glossary WordPress plugin versions prior to 3.9.21, enabling Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2021-24678?

The vulnerability in the CM Tooltip Glossary plugin allows users with minimal roles like Contributor to conduct Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks by exploiting unescaped glossary_tooltip shortcode attributes.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24678

An attacker could inject and execute malicious scripts through the glossary_tooltip shortcode, compromising data integrity and potentially affecting the security of WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24678

The technical details of CVE-2021-24678 include vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The CM Tooltip Glossary plugin version before 3.9.21 fails to properly sanitize glossary_tooltip shortcode attributes, allowing an attacker with minimal privileges to inject and execute malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts all versions of the CM Tooltip Glossary plugin prior to 3.9.21.

Exploitation Mechanism

By crafting specific glossary_tooltip shortcode attributes, a malicious user with low role permissions, such as a Contributor, can exploit the vulnerability to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-24678, it is crucial to take immediate steps and implement long-term security practices to secure WordPress sites.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the CM Tooltip Glossary plugin to version 3.9.21 or later.
Monitor site activity for any suspicious behavior or unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and themes to their latest versions.
Apply principle of least privilege by restricting user roles to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates for WordPress plugins and perform regular checks to ensure the website's security.