CVE-2021-24937 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Asset CleanUp: Page Speed Booster WordPress plugin before version 1.3.8.5 is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting due to improper handling of user input.

Understanding CVE-2021-24937

This CVE involves a security issue in the Asset CleanUp: Page Speed Booster plugin for WordPress, allowing for a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting attack.

What is CVE-2021-24937?

The Asset CleanUp: Page Speed Booster WordPress plugin before 1.3.8.5 fails to properly sanitize user-controlled input, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24937

Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to account compromise or unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24937

This section provides insight into the vulnerability details of CVE-2021-24937.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the plugin's failure to escape the wpacu_selected_sub_tab_area parameter before returning it in an attribute in an admin page, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Asset CleanUp: Page Speed Booster plugin versions earlier than 1.3.8.5 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this flaw by enticing a logged-in WordPress user to click on a crafted link leading to a page where the malicious script is executed in the user's browser.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your WordPress site from CVE-2021-24937, follow these security measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Asset CleanUp: Page Speed Booster plugin to version 1.3.8.5 or newer.
Consider installing security plugins that can help detect and prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and update all plugins and themes on your WordPress site.
Educate users about safe browsing practices and the risks of clicking on unknown links.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for all WordPress plugins and apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities.