CVE-2021-36841 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in YITH Maintenance Mode (WordPress plugin) versions <= 1.3.7 allows attackers to inject malicious scripts. Immediate update to version 1.3.8 or higher is recommended.

Understanding CVE-2021-36841

This CVE involves an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the YITH Maintenance Mode WordPress plugin, impacting versions up to 1.3.7.

What is CVE-2021-36841?

CVE-2021-36841 is an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in YITH Maintenance Mode (WordPress plugin) versions <= 1.3.7, within the vulnerable parameter &yith_maintenance_newsletter_submit_label.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36841

The vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a privileged user, potentially leading to various forms of exploitation including data theft, privilege escalation, and site defacement.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36841

The vulnerability has a CVSSv3 base score of 6.9, indicating a medium severity issue with high confidentiality impact and requiring high privileges for exploitation.

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability arises due to improper sanitization of user-supplied data in the affected plugin, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

YITH Maintenance Mode WordPress plugin versions <= 1.3.7 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this security flaw by injecting malicious scripts into the vulnerable parameter even when unfiltered HTML is disallowed by the WordPress configuration.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate action to address CVE-2021-36841 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the YITH Maintenance Mode plugin to version 1.3.8 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability and enhance the security of their WordPress installations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement regular security audits, monitor for any unusual activities, and educate users on secure coding practices to prevent XSS vulnerabilities and other security risks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches released by the plugin vendor to stay protected against known vulnerabilities.