CVE-2021-24773 : Security Advisory and Response

WordPress Download Manager < 3.2.16 - Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting allows high privilege users to perform XSS attacks due to unescaped settings output.

Understanding CVE-2021-24773

This CVE details a vulnerability in the WordPress Download Manager plugin before version 3.2.16, enabling XSS attacks by high privilege users.

What is CVE-2021-24773?

The CVE-2021-24773 vulnerability in WordPress Download Manager < 3.2.16 arises from unescaped settings output, letting high privilege users execute XSS attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24773

The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages accessed by other users, potentially leading to data theft or unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24773

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE-2021-24773 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue occurs in the WordPress Download Manager plugin before version 3.2.16, where certain settings are not properly escaped, enabling XSS attacks irrespective of unfiltered_html capability permissions.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects WordPress Download Manager versions prior to 3.2.16.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious scripts and injecting them into the affected plugin's settings, allowing attackers to execute unauthorized code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2021-24773, immediate actions and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade WordPress Download Manager to version 3.2.16 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and audit user permissions and activities on the platform to detect any unauthorized actions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation and output encoding practices in web application development to prevent XSS attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by the plugin vendor and apply them promptly to protect against known vulnerabilities.