CVE-2021-24893 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-24893, a vulnerability found in the Stars Rating WordPress plugin before version 3.5.1, allowing a Denial of Service attack.

Understanding CVE-2021-24893

CVE-2021-24893 is a vulnerability in the Stars Rating WordPress plugin that allows the submission of a long integer, leading to a Denial of Service attack in the comments section or pending comment dashboard.

What is CVE-2021-24893?

The Stars Rating WordPress plugin before version 3.5.1 fails to validate submitted ratings, enabling users to send long integers that trigger a Denial of Service attack.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24893

This vulnerability can be exploited by both authenticated and unauthenticated users, potentially disrupting the comments section or pending comment dashboard.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24893

The technical details of CVE-2021-24893 include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the plugin's lack of validation for submitted ratings, allowing the input of long integers that overwhelm the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Stars Rating
Vendor: Unknown
Vulnerable Version: < 3.5.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Users can exploit this vulnerability by submitting long integers as ratings, resulting in a Denial of Service attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against CVE-2021-24893, consider the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Stars Rating plugin to version 3.5.1 or higher.
Monitor comment sections and pending comment dashboards for unusual activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update WordPress plugins to the latest versions.
Educate users on safe commenting practices to prevent malicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for WordPress plugins, especially for the Stars Rating plugin, to address and prevent similar vulnerabilities.