CVE-2021-25095 : What You Need to Know

A critical vulnerability in the IP2Location Country Blocker WordPress plugin before version 2.26.5 allows authenticated users to block arbitrary countries, potentially impacting website accessibility for users.

Understanding CVE-2021-25095

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2021-25095 vulnerability in the IP2Location Country Blocker WordPress plugin.

What is CVE-2021-25095?

The IP2Location Country Blocker plugin before version 2.26.5 lacks proper authorization and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) checks, enabling authenticated users like subscribers to block specific countries or even all countries simultaneously, thus restricting frontend access.

The Impact of CVE-2021-25095

The vulnerability could allow malicious users to disrupt the normal functioning of websites by blocking access to specific countries without proper authorization, affecting user experience and potentially leading to service disruption.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-25095

In this section, technical details regarding the CVE-2021-25095 vulnerability are discussed.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the IP2Location Country Blocker WordPress plugin before version 2.26.5 stems from the lack of authorization and CSRF validations in the ip2location_country_blocker_save_rules AJAX action, allowing unauthorized users to perform actions that should be restricted.

Affected Systems and Versions

The IP2Location Country Blocker plugin versions prior to 2.26.5 are affected by this vulnerability, wherein users running versions older than 2.26.5 are susceptible to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves leveraging the inadequate validation mechanisms in the plugin, allowing authenticated users to manipulate country-blocking settings and potentially disrupt website access.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section covers strategies to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-25095 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators are advised to update the IP2Location Country Blocker plugin to version 2.26.5 or later to address the vulnerability and enhance security measures.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strict access controls, regularly monitoring plugin updates, and conducting security audits can help prevent similar vulnerabilities and enhance overall website security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating the IP2Location Country Blocker plugin to the latest version and staying informed about security patches and fixes is crucial to maintaining a secure WordPress environment.