CVE-2021-32681 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Wagtail, an open-source content management system built on Django, is impacted by a cross-site scripting vulnerability in versions 2.11.8 and earlier. This flaw allows users with 'editor' access to insert arbitrary HTML or scripting through the

{% include_block %}

tag. The issue has been addressed in patched versions of Wagtail.

Understanding CVE-2021-32681

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Wagtail's StreamField blocks that could be exploited by authenticated users to execute cross-site scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2021-32681?

The CVE-2021-32681 relates to a cross-site scripting vulnerability in Wagtail versions 2.11.8 and earlier, allowing authorized users to inject malicious HTML or scripting via StreamField blocks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-32681

The vulnerability poses a moderate risk with a CVSS base score of 5.4, potentially enabling attackers to tamper with site content or conduct phishing attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-32681

The vulnerability occurs when the

{% include_block %}

template tag outputs plain-text StreamField blocks without proper escaping, enabling unauthorized HTML/script insertion.

Vulnerability Description

Unauthorized exploitation through the

{% include_block %}

tag on StreamField blocks lacking a template can lead to arbitrary HTML/script injection, affecting user content.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions prior to 2.11.8, 2.12-2.12.4, and 2.13-2.13.1 of Wagtail are impacted by this CVE.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with 'editor' access can abuse the vulnerability by leveraging the

{% include_block %}

tag to insert malicious content.

Mitigation and Prevention

Users are advised to apply immediate upgrades to patched versions of Wagtail to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implementors should update to the latest secure versions (2.11.8, 2.12.5, or 2.13.2) and review

{% include_block %}

usage in StreamField to ensure safe content rendering.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update Wagtail to stay protected against emerging security threats and vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and version updates released by Wagtail to address known vulnerabilities.