CVE-2021-24863 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability has been identified in the WP Block and Stop Bad Bots Crawlers and Spiders and Anti Spam Protection Plugin StopBadBots WordPress plugin before version 6.67, allowing unauthenticated SQL injection attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-24863

This CVE involves an SQL injection vulnerability in the StopBadBots WordPress plugin, potentially exploited by unauthenticated attackers to execute malicious SQL queries.

What is CVE-2021-24863?

The CVE-2021-24863 vulnerability in the StopBadBots plugin allows attackers to inject malicious SQL statements due to improper sanitization of User Agent data.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24863

Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to the WordPress database, data manipulation, or even full site takeover by malicious actors.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24863

This section provides a deeper insight into the vulnerability's description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of sanitization and escape of the User Agent data before incorporating it into an SQL query, enabling SQL injection attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

WP Block and Stop Bad Bots Crawlers and Spiders and Anti Spam Protection Plugin StopBadBots plugin versions prior to 6.67 are susceptible to this SQL injection vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this issue by crafting a malicious User Agent and sending a specially designed HTTP request to the target WordPress site.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-24863, immediate steps should be taken to secure the vulnerable plugin and follow long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the StopBadBots plugin to version 6.67 or later to mitigate the SQL injection risk.
Monitor and review access logs for any suspicious activity or attempts to exploit this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update WordPress plugins and themes to patch known security issues.
Implement strict input validation practices to prevent SQL injection vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches released by the plugin vendor to protect against potential exploits.