CVE-2021-24911 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article discusses the CVE-2021-24911 vulnerability in the Transposh WordPress Translation plugin before version 1.0.8. It includes details about the vulnerability, its impact, technical description, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation techniques.

Understanding CVE-2021-24911

This section provides an overview of the vulnerability and its implications.

What is CVE-2021-24911?

The Transposh WordPress Translation plugin before version 1.0.8 is susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) due to inadequate sanitization of the tk0 parameter. This flaw can be exploited via the tp_translation AJAX action, leading to XSS attacks in the plugin's admin dashboard.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24911

The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's admin dashboard, potentially compromising sensitive data and executing unauthorized actions depending on the user role permissions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24911

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-24911 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from the lack of proper sanitization and escaping of the tk0 parameter, enabling attackers to inject and execute arbitrary scripts in the plugin's admin dashboard.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Transposh WordPress Translation plugin versions prior to 1.0.8, making websites using these versions vulnerable to XSS attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the tk0 parameter in the tp_translation AJAX action, bypassing security controls and injecting malicious scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the CVE-2021-24911 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should update the Transposh WordPress Translation plugin to version 1.0.8 or later to eliminate the vulnerability and prevent potential XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices, input validation mechanisms, and regular security audits to detect and address vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates for plugins, ensuring timely installation of fixes to protect websites from known security risks.