CVE-2021-24683 : Security Advisory and Response

The Weather Effect WordPress plugin before version 1.3.4 is susceptible to a CSRF to Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability. Read on to understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2021-24683

This CVE involves the Weather Effect plugin for WordPress, allowing an attacker to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks due to inadequate CSRF checks.

What is CVE-2021-24683?

The Weather Effect WordPress plugin before 1.3.4 lacks CSRF protection when saving settings, enabling Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks due to insufficient validation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24683

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to inject malicious scripts into the plugin settings, affecting site visitors and compromising user data.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24683

The technical details include a brief overview of the vulnerability, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

Weather Effect version < 1.3.4 is vulnerable to CSRF attacks leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting, as no proper checks are in place during settings saving.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Weather Effect - Christmas Santa Snow Falling plugin version less than 1.3.4.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the missing CSRF protection in the plugin settings to inject and execute malicious scripts, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure your WordPress site against CVE-2021-24683, follow these essential mitigation and prevention steps.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Weather Effect plugin to version 1.3.4 or newer to patch the CSRF vulnerability.
Regularly scan your website for any signs of suspicious activity or scripts injected.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a web application firewall to monitor and filter incoming traffic for potential threats.
Educate website administrators about the risks of Cross-Site Scripting and the importance of secure coding practices.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for all installed plugins and themes, promptly applying patches to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.