CVE-2021-38360 : What You Need to Know

A critical vulnerability has been discovered in the wp-publications WordPress plugin, allowing attackers to achieve remote code execution through a local file inclusion flaw. This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-38360, its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2021-38360

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2021-38360 vulnerability in the wp-publications plugin.

What is CVE-2021-38360?

The wp-publications WordPress plugin is susceptible to a restrictive local file inclusion vulnerability via the Q_FILE parameter in the ~/bibtexbrowser.php file. This security flaw enables threat actors to include local zip files and execute remote code on affected systems running versions up to and including 0.0.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38360

With a CVSS base score of 8.3, the vulnerability poses a high risk, allowing attackers to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability without requiring any privileges. The attack complexity is low with a network-based vector, emphasizing the critical nature of the issue.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38360

Explore the technical intricacies of the CVE-2021-38360 vulnerability in this section.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory (path traversal), leading to unauthorized file inclusions and potential remote code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

The wp-publications plugin versions up to and including 0.0 are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing websites to the risk of remote code execution.

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the Q_FILE parameter in the ~/bibtexbrowser.php file, threat actors can achieve local file inclusions and subsequently execute malicious code remotely.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the necessary steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-38360.

Immediate Steps to Take

As an immediate security measure, uninstall the wp-publications plugin from your WordPress site to prevent any potential exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and update your plugins to their latest versions to mitigate the risk of known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by plugin developers and apply updates promptly to address security vulnerabilities.