CVE-2021-36891 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the Photo Gallery by Supsystic plugin version 1.15.5 and below for WordPress allows malicious actors to alter plugin settings.

Understanding CVE-2021-36891

This CVE pertains to a security flaw in the Photo Gallery by Supsystic plugin <= 1.15.5 for WordPress, discovered by Rasi Afeef of Patchstack Alliance.

What is CVE-2021-36891?

The identified vulnerability is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue that enables attackers to manipulate the settings of the vulnerable plugin.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36891

With a CVSS base score of 5.4, this vulnerability poses a medium risk, requiring user interaction but no special privileges to be exploited.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36891

The technical aspects of the CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

The CSRF vulnerability in the Photo Gallery by Supsystic plugin <= 1.15.5 allows unauthorized modification of plugin settings through a crafted request.

Affected Systems and Versions

Photo Gallery by Supsystic plugin version 1.15.5 and below for WordPress are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability over a network, with low complexity and impact on integrity and availability, requiring user interaction.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-36891, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Photo Gallery by Supsystic plugin to a version higher than 1.15.5.
Monitor plugin settings for any unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and scan plugins for vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe WordPress plugin usage practices.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for plugins and maintain a proactive approach to applying patches.