CVE-2021-36845 : What You Need to Know

Multiple Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities were discovered in the YITH Maintenance Mode WordPress plugin version 1.3.8 and below. These vulnerabilities were reported by Vlad Visse from Patchstack and could allow attackers to execute malicious scripts on affected websites.

Understanding CVE-2021-36845

This CVE identifies critical XSS vulnerabilities in the YITH Maintenance Mode WordPress plugin versions up to 1.3.8, allowing authenticated attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts.

What is CVE-2021-36845?

The CVE-2021-36845 relates to multiple Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities present in the YITH Maintenance Mode WordPress plugin versions less than or equal to 1.3.8. These vulnerabilities could enable attackers to inject malicious scripts into vulnerable websites.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36845

The impact of CVE-2021-36845 is rated as 'Medium,' with a CVSS base score of 6.9. The vulnerabilities could lead to high confidentiality impact, low integrity impact, and high privileges required for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36845

The vulnerability arises due to 46 vulnerable parameters found in various tabs of the YITH Maintenance Mode plugin. These parameters were overlooked during the patching process from version 1.3.7 to 1.3.8.

Vulnerability Description

The various tabs such as Newsletter, General, Background, Logo, and Socials contain vulnerable parameters that could be exploited by attackers to execute XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

YITH Maintenance Mode WordPress plugin versions less than or equal to 1.3.8 are affected by these vulnerabilities.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities by injecting malicious scripts into specific parameters within the plugin settings, potentially causing harm to the website and its users.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial for users to take immediate action to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-36845.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the YITH Maintenance Mode plugin to version 1.4.0 or higher to address the identified vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing regular security audits, staying informed about plugin updates, and following security best practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating plugins and maintaining vigilance against potential security threats are essential practices to ensure the security of WordPress websites.