CVE-2021-3271 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

PressBooks 5.17.3 has been identified with a critical vulnerability, a cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw that allows for stored XSS attacks. Read on to understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps for CVE-2021-3271.

Understanding CVE-2021-3271

PressBooks 5.17.3 contains a stored XSS vulnerability that can be exploited via the Book Info's Long Description Body, potentially leading to remote code execution.

What is CVE-2021-3271?

The CVE-2021-3271 vulnerability in PressBooks 5.17.3 allows malicious actors to execute stored XSS attacks by injecting malicious code into the Long Description Body of a book. This can be triggered when opening or previewing the affected book's page.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3271

The presence of this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of an unsuspecting user's browser. This can result in various attacks, including session hijacking, defacement of web pages, and theft of sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3271

Below are the specific technical details related to the CVE-2021-3271 vulnerability in PressBooks 5.17.3:

Vulnerability Description

PressBooks 5.17.3 is susceptible to a stored XSS flaw that enables threat actors to inject and execute malicious scripts through the Long Description Body of a book.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects all instances of PressBooks with version 5.17.3.

Exploitation Mechanism

By crafting and submitting a malicious payload via the Book Info's Long Description Body, attackers can trigger the stored XSS on the book's page, compromising user security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your system from CVE-2021-3271, follow these important steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable Book Info's Long Description Body feature temporarily.
Implement content security policies to mitigate XSS risks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update PressBooks to the latest version to patch vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address similar issues.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by PressBooks to address CVE-2021-3271 and other vulnerabilities effectively.