CVE-2021-24885 : What You Need to Know

YOP Poll WordPress plugin before 6.1.2 is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting due to improper handling of the perpage parameter.

Understanding CVE-2021-24885

This CVE identifies a security issue in the YOP Poll WordPress plugin that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts through a reflected XSS attack.

What is CVE-2021-24885?

The YOP Poll plugin before version 6.1.2 fails to properly sanitize the perpage parameter, enabling attackers to inject and execute arbitrary scripts on the victim's browser.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24885

Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to user cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information, jeopardizing the security and privacy of affected users.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24885

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The YOP Poll plugin's version prior to 6.1.2 does not properly escape the perpage parameter, leaving it vulnerable to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts YOP Poll plugin versions earlier than 6.1.2, making websites using these versions susceptible to XSS attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the lack of input sanitization in the perpage parameter, threat actors can craft malicious URLs to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser, leading to potential data theft or compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the necessary steps to mitigate the CVE-2021-24885 vulnerability and enhance your website's security posture.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the YOP Poll plugin to version 6.1.2 or later to patch the security flaw and prevent exploitation.
Monitor web traffic and look for any suspicious activities that might indicate an ongoing attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all plugins, themes, and WordPress core to ensure that known vulnerabilities are promptly addressed.
Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate the risk of XSS attacks and other client-side vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by the YOP Poll plugin vendor and promptly apply patches to protect your website from potential security risks.