CVE-2021-25046 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A critical vulnerability has been identified in the Modern Events Calendar Lite WordPress plugin before version 6.2.0. This vulnerability allows any logged-in user, including subscriber users, to add a category with parameters that are incorrectly escaped in the admin panel, leading to stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-25046

This CVE affects the Modern Events Calendar Lite plugin versions prior to 6.2.0, enabling users to exploit a security loophole and perform XSS attacks on the website.

What is CVE-2021-25046?

The CVE-2021-25046 vulnerability in Modern Events Calendar Lite plugin allows any logged-in user to add a category with escaped parameters, resulting in stored XSS, which can be leveraged by attackers to execute malicious scripts on the website.

The Impact of CVE-2021-25046

The impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables unauthorized users to inject malicious scripts into the plugin, potentially compromising sensitive data, defacing the website, or redirecting users to harmful websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-25046

The technical details of CVE-2021-25046 provide insight into the vulnerability itself, the affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper handling of user input, specifically in the category addition functionality, allowing malicious users to inject and store XSS payloads within the website.

Affected Systems and Versions

Modern Events Calendar Lite plugin versions below 6.2.0 are affected by this vulnerability, making websites using these versions susceptible to stored XSS attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the flaw in the category creation process, attackers can craft malicious category names containing JavaScript code, which gets stored in the database and executed whenever the category is viewed.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-25046, immediate actions and long-term security practices are advised.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should update the Modern Events Calendar Lite plugin to version 6.2.0 or newer to eliminate this vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for any suspicious activities on the website is recommended.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing input validation and output encoding practices in the plugin code can prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. Regular security audits and ensuring timely plugin updates are essential for maintaining a secure website.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security patches released by the plugin vendor and apply them promptly to ensure that your website is protected against known vulnerabilities.