CVE-2021-24998 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-24998, which involves the Simple JWT Login WordPress plugin version less than 3.3.0 creating new user accounts with insecurely generated passwords.

Understanding CVE-2021-24998

This section covers the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-24998.

What is CVE-2021-24998?

The Simple JWT Login WordPress plugin prior to version 3.3.0 allows the creation of new WordPress user accounts with passwords generated using the non-cryptographically secure str_shuffle PHP function.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24998

The vulnerability, categorized under CWE-330, exposes user accounts to the risk of having insecurely generated passwords, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24998

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the Simple JWT Login plugin enables the creation of user accounts with passwords that lack cryptographically secure randomness, increasing the likelihood of password guessing attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The issue affects versions of the Simple JWT Login plugin prior to 3.3.0, allowing attackers to exploit the vulnerability in WordPress instances where the plugin is installed.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage the insecurely generated passwords to potentially gain unauthorized access to WordPress user accounts, compromising the affected websites.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines immediate steps and long-term security practices to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-24998.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should update the Simple JWT Login plugin to version 3.3.0 or above to ensure that new user accounts are created with securely generated passwords.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong password policies, monitoring user account activities, and regularly updating plugins can enhance the overall security posture of WordPress websites.

Patching and Updates

Users are advised to apply the patch provided by the plugin developers to address the vulnerability and prevent potential unauthorized access to WordPress user accounts.