CVE-2021-24985 : What You Need to Know

This article explores CVE-2021-24985, a vulnerability in the Easy Forms for Mailchimp WordPress plugin before version 6.8.6 that leads to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting issues.

Understanding CVE-2021-24985

This CVE focuses on a security flaw in the Easy Forms for Mailchimp WordPress plugin, making websites susceptible to cross-site scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2021-24985?

The Easy Forms for Mailchimp WordPress plugin version less than 6.8.6 fails to properly sanitize and escape certain parameters, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24985

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to execute script code in a victim's browser, leading to potential data theft, session hijacking, or unauthorized actions on the affected site.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24985

The following technical details shed light on the specifics of this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the plugin's failure to sanitize the 'field_name' and 'field_type' parameters, enabling attackers to insert and execute malicious scripts when these parameters are outputted.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of Easy Forms for Mailchimp plugin prior to 6.8.6, putting websites at risk of cross-site scripting attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

By crafting a malicious link containing the vulnerable parameters, an attacker can trick a user into clicking the link and executing the injected script within the context of the target site.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your website from CVE-2021-24985, consider the following mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Easy Forms for Mailchimp plugin to version 6.8.6 or higher to patch the vulnerability.
Regularly scan your website for any signs of unauthorized access or malicious scripts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation and output sanitization practices to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.
Educate your team on the risks of clicking on unknown links to reduce the likelihood of successful attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for plugins and regularly apply patches to mitigate known vulnerabilities.