CVE-2021-25108 : Security Advisory and Response

The IP2Location Country Blocker WordPress plugin before version 2.26.6 is susceptible to a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the ip2location_country_blocker_save_rules AJAX action. This flaw allows attackers to block arbitrary countries or all of them at once, thereby preventing users from accessing the frontend.

Understanding CVE-2021-25108

This CVE entry pertains to a security issue in the IP2Location Country Blocker plugin prior to version 2.26.6, involving a lack of CSRF protection.

What is CVE-2021-25108?

The CVE-2021-25108 vulnerability in the IP2Location Country Blocker plugin allows unauthorized users to manipulate country blocking settings, potentially disrupting legitimate access to the WordPress site.

The Impact of CVE-2021-25108

Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized blocking of countries, affecting user accessibility to the website's frontend and posing a risk to the site's availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-25108

This section delves into the specific technical aspects related to CVE-2021-25108.

Vulnerability Description

The security flaw stemmed from the missing CSRF validation in the ip2location_country_blocker_save_rules AJAX action, enabling attackers to interfere with country blocking rules.

Affected Systems and Versions

IP2Location Country Blocker versions prior to 2.26.6 are confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the absence of CSRF protection, malicious actors could exploit the ip2location_country_blocker_save_rules action to manipulate country blocking settings.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial for site administrators to take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-25108.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the IP2Location Country Blocker plugin to version 2.26.6 or newer to address the CSRF vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and audit country blocking configurations to detect unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive plugin functionalities.
Educate users on recognizing and reporting suspicious activities on the site.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by the plugin vendor to promptly address any known vulnerabilities and enhance the security posture of your WordPress site.