CVE-2021-24983 : Security Advisory and Response

The Asset CleanUp: Page Speed Booster WordPress plugin before 1.3.8.5 is affected by a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability due to inadequate handling of parameters in a specific AJAX action.

Understanding CVE-2021-24983

This CVE details a security issue in the Asset CleanUp: Page Speed Booster WordPress plugin that could be exploited by admin users.

What is CVE-2021-24983?

The vulnerability in the plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24983

The impact of this vulnerability includes the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, cookie theft, and potential manipulation of web content.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24983

This section provides more insight into the specific technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape parameters sent via a specific AJAX action, resulting in a reflected cross-site scripting flaw.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Asset CleanUp: Page Speed Booster plugin versions prior to 1.3.8.5 are known to be affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious requests that, when executed, could inject and execute arbitrary scripts within the context of an admin user's session.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-24983, users and administrators should take immediate actions and adopt long-term security best practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately update the Asset CleanUp: Page Speed Booster plugin to version 1.3.8.5 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability and protect your WordPress site.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices, regularly audit plugins for security issues, and educate users on best security practices to prevent future security incidents.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates for all installed plugins and software components to prevent potential vulnerabilities.