CVE-2021-24882 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article discusses the CVE-2021-24882 vulnerability associated with the Slideshow Gallery WordPress plugin before version 1.7.4, potentially allowing high privilege users to conduct Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-24882

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2021-24882 vulnerability and its implications.

What is CVE-2021-24882?

The vulnerability in the Slideshow Gallery WordPress plugin before version 1.7.4 arises from the unsanitised and unescaped Slide "Title", "Description", and Gallery "Title" fields. This flaw could empower high privilege users to execute Cross-Site Scripting attacks, even if unfiltered_html is restricted.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24882

Due to the lack of proper sanitisation, threat actors can inject malicious scripts into the vulnerable fields, leading to Cross-Site Scripting attacks. This could result in unauthorized access, data theft, and manipulation of content on compromised websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24882

In this section, we explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-24882 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The lack of sanitisation in the Slide and Gallery fields allows attackers to embed malicious scripts that get executed in the context of privileged users, posing a severe security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Slideshow Gallery versions earlier than 1.7.4, enabling attackers to exploit websites where this plugin is installed and running.

Exploitation Mechanism

By crafting specifically designed inputs in the Slide and Gallery fields, malicious actors can execute scripts that bypass security restrictions and execute within the application's context.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section provides guidance on mitigating the CVE-2021-24882 vulnerability and preventing exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should promptly update the Slideshow Gallery plugin to version 1.7.4 or higher to patch the vulnerability and prevent potential Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust input sanitisation and output encoding mechanisms within WordPress plugins to prevent Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and code reviews are essential to identify and address such flaws.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by plugin developers. Regularly update all WordPress plugins and themes to the latest versions to mitigate security risks and protect your website from potential exploits.