CVE-2021-25113 : Security Advisory and Response

A detailed overview of CVE-2021-25113, a vulnerability in the Dropdown Menu Widget WordPress plugin.

Understanding CVE-2021-25113

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of the CVE-2021-25113 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-25113?

The Dropdown Menu Widget WordPress plugin version 1.9.7 and below is susceptible to authorization and CSRF bypass during settings modification, allowing low-privileged users to perform unauthorized updates. It also opens up possibilities for Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-25113

The lack of proper authorization and CSRF validation in the plugin can lead to unauthorized setting changes by low-privileged users, potentially resulting in Stored XSS vulnerabilities, putting the security and integrity of the WordPress site at risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-25113

Explore the specific technical aspects of the CVE-2021-25113 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The absence of thorough authorization and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) checks in the Dropdown Menu Widget plugin versions 1.9.7 and below enables individuals with limited privileges, like subscribers, to make unauthorized modifications to plugin settings. Additionally, the lack of input sanitization and escaping may result in Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) threats.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects all systems that have the Dropdown Menu Widget plugin installed with versions equal to or below 1.9.7.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating plugin settings through unauthorized user accounts, potentially injecting malicious scripts that execute within the context of the site.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-25113.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or remove the Dropdown Menu Widget plugin version 1.9.7 and below from affected WordPress sites.
Regularly monitor for any signs of unauthorized changes or suspicious activities on the website.

Long-Term Security Practices

Keep WordPress plugins and themes updated to prevent known vulnerabilities from being exploited.
Implement least privilege access controls to restrict users' capabilities based on their roles.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the Dropdown Menu Widget plugin is updated to a secure version that addresses the authorization and CSRF issues to mitigate the risk of Stored XSS attacks.