CVE-2021-24685 : What You Need to Know

Flat Preloader WordPress plugin before version 1.5.4 is vulnerable to a CSRF to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attack, allowing attackers to exploit the plugin settings and inject malicious code.

Understanding CVE-2021-24685

This vulnerability in the Flat Preloader plugin allows attackers to execute Cross-Site Scripting attacks by bypassing nonce checks and injecting payloads into the plugin settings.

What is CVE-2021-24685?

The CVE-2021-24685 vulnerability affects the Flat Preloader WordPress plugin versions prior to 1.5.4, enabling attackers to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks without proper validation or sanitization of settings.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24685

The security flaw in Flat Preloader could lead to unauthorized access, content modification, or complete site takeover by malicious actors launching XSS attacks through the plugin settings.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24685

The vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism are outlined below.

Vulnerability Description

Flat Preloader plugin fails to enforce nonce checks, allowing logged-in admin users to be tricked into executing unauthorized changes via Cross-Site Scripting payloads.

Affected Systems and Versions

Flat Preloader versions prior to 1.5.4 are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing websites using this plugin to potential XSS attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this issue by crafting malicious payloads and manipulating plugin settings to inject and execute unauthorized scripts on the target website.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect your website from CVE-2021-24685, immediate steps and long-term security practices are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Flat Preloader plugin to version 1.5.4 or newer to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor plugin settings for any unauthorized changes and review security logs regularly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all plugins and themes to their latest versions to mitigate potential security risks.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter and block malicious traffic targeting XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for the Flat Preloader plugin and promptly apply patches to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.