CVE-2021-25076 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

WP User Frontend WordPress plugin before version 3.5.26 is affected by a vulnerability allowing SQL injection leading to reflected cross-site scripting. The lack of proper validation in the Subscribers dashboard paves the way for these attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-25076

This CVE highlights a security flaw in WP User Frontend WordPress plugin that could be exploited by attackers to execute SQL injection attacks and potentially cause reflected cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.

What is CVE-2021-25076?

The vulnerability in WP User Frontend WordPress plugin before version 3.5.26 arises from the absence of validation and proper escaping of the 'status' parameter in SQL statements within the Subscribers dashboard. This oversight enables threat actors to perform SQL injection attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-25076

The SQL injection vulnerability in WP User Frontend can be leveraged by malicious individuals to manipulate the database, steal sensitive information, modify content, or launch other attacks. Moreover, the potential for reflected cross-site scripting amplifies the risk by allowing attack payloads to be executed in users' browsers.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-25076

The technical details of this vulnerability shed light on how attackers can exploit the SQL injection flaw in WP User Frontend WordPress plugin to carry out malicious activities.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and escape the 'status' parameter before utilizing it in SQL queries, enabling SQL injection attacks that could lead to severe consequences, including database manipulation and data theft.

Affected Systems and Versions

WP User Frontend WordPress plugin versions prior to 3.5.26 are susceptible to this security issue, putting any websites using these versions at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the SQL injection vulnerability, threat actors can inject malicious code via the 'status' parameter, execute unauthorized SQL queries, and potentially execute reflected cross-site scripting attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-25076 and enhance security posture, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and the importance of timely patching and updates are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should promptly update the WP User Frontend plugin to version 3.5.26 or newer to mitigate the risk of SQL injection and reflected cross-site scripting attacks. Additionally, monitoring for any suspicious activities is advised.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, regular security audits, and staying informed about plugin vulnerabilities can help prevent similar security incidents in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches, updates, and fixes provided by the plugin developers is essential to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly and the plugin remains secure.