CVE-2021-24946 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-24946, a vulnerability in Modern Events Calendar Lite plugin for WordPress before 6.1.5, enabling unauthenticated SQL injection attacks. Discover impact, affected versions, and mitigation steps.
Modern Events Calendar Lite plugin before 6.1.5 in WordPress is vulnerable to an unauthenticated SQL injection due to improper sanitization of the time parameter in an AJAX action.
Understanding CVE-2021-24946
This CVE identifies a security flaw in the Modern Events Calendar Lite plugin for WordPress, allowing unauthenticated SQL injection.
What is CVE-2021-24946?
The vulnerability in Modern Events Calendar Lite plugin (before version 6.1.5) enables unauthenticated users to execute SQL injection attacks through the mec_load_single_page AJAX action.
The Impact of CVE-2021-24946
The unauthenticated SQL injection issue can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access, modify data, or carry out other malicious activities on affected WordPress sites.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-24946
The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs, specifically the time parameter in SQL statements. It affects versions prior to 6.1.5 of the Modern Events Calendar Lite plugin.
Vulnerability Description
Modern Events Calendar Lite plugin before 6.1.5 allows unauthenticated SQL injection via the mec_load_single_page AJAX action due to lack of input sanitization.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability impacts Modern Events Calendar Lite plugin versions prior to 6.1.5 in WordPress installations.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this issue by sending specially crafted requests to the mec_load_single_page AJAX action, injecting malicious SQL commands.
Mitigation and Prevention
It is crucial to take immediate steps to remediate the CVE-2021-24946 vulnerability and implement long-term security measures to safeguard WordPress installations.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update the Modern Events Calendar Lite plugin to version 6.1.5 or newer to address the SQL injection vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for unauthorized access is recommended.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement strict input validation and output encoding practices in WordPress plugins to prevent SQL injection risks. Regular security audits and updates are essential to maintain a secure WordPress environment.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security patches released by the plugin vendor and apply updates promptly to mitigate known vulnerabilities.