CVE-2021-25090 : What You Need to Know

GridKit Portfolio Plugin before version 2.1.0 for WordPress lacks authorization and CSRF checks, making it vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-25090

This CVE details a security issue in the GridKit Portfolio Plugin for WordPress, allowing authenticated users to exploit Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities.

What is CVE-2021-25090?

The Portfolio Gallery, Product Catalog WordPress plugin before 2.1.0 lacks authorization and CSRF checks, enabling authenticated users like subscribers to execute AJAX actions, potentially leading to Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-25090

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to conduct Cross-Site Scripting attacks on web pages containing embedded Portfolios, compromising user data and website integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-25090

This section provides specific technical details of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The lack of authorization and CSRF checks in the GridKit Portfolio Plugin for WordPress allows authenticated users to trigger AJAX actions, potentially resulting in Cross-Site Scripting attacks due to inadequate sanitization and escaping.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects GridKit Portfolio Plugin versions prior to 2.1.0 for WordPress websites.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with subscriber-level access can exploit the lack of authorization and CSRF checks to execute AJAX actions, leading to Cross-Site Scripting attacks through unsanitized user input.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your website from CVE-2021-25090 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the GridKit Portfolio Plugin to version 2.1.0 or newer immediately.
Restrict user access levels within WordPress to minimize the risk of unauthorized actions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor plugin updates and security advisories to address emerging vulnerabilities promptly.
Implement content security policies and input validation mechanisms to mitigate Cross-Site Scripting risks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates for all WordPress plugins and themes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.