CVE-2021-24768 : Security Advisory and Response

WordPress users need to be aware of a vulnerability in the WP RSS Aggregator plugin before version 4.19.2 that could lead to Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-24768

This CVE describes a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WP RSS Aggregator WordPress plugin.

What is CVE-2021-24768?

The WP RSS Aggregator WordPress plugin before 4.19.2 fails to properly sanitize and escape the URL to Blacklist field. This allows users with high privileges to insert malicious HTML, even when the unfiltered_html capability is restricted, potentially leading to XSS issues.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24768

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers with high privileges to inject malicious scripts into the affected site, leading to Cross-Site Scripting attacks. Such attacks can compromise user data, session cookies, and potentially lead to further security breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24768

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the lack of proper sanitization and escaping of user input in the URL to Blacklist field, allowing for the insertion of malicious HTML content.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects WP RSS Aggregator versions prior to 4.19.2. Users with versions older than this are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

High privilege users, even when restricted from using unfiltered_html capability, can exploit this vulnerability to inject Cross-Site Scripting payloads into the site's content.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your WordPress website from CVE-2021-24768, follow these security measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update WP RSS Aggregator to version 4.19.2 or higher to patch the vulnerability.
Restrict user capabilities and permissions to minimize the risk of privilege escalation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and updates from plugin developers to stay informed about vulnerabilities.
Implement web application firewalls and security plugins to protect against XSS and other injection attacks.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to keep all plugins and themes updated to the latest versions to ensure the security of your WordPress website.