CVE-2021-39200 : What You Need to Know

WordPress is a free and open-source content management system. The vulnerability in affected versions can lead to exposure of sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2021-39200

This CVE identifies an information disclosure vulnerability in WordPress versions between 5.2.0 and 5.8.1.

What is CVE-2021-39200?

The flaw in affected versions of WordPress allows output data of the function wp_die() to be leaked under certain conditions, potentially exposing sensitive data like nonces, which can then be misused to impersonate users, leading to unauthorized actions.

The Impact of CVE-2021-39200

The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.3 (Medium severity). The attack complexity is high with a low privilege requirement. It affects confidentiality with potential exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-39200

This section discusses the vulnerability description, affected systems, and how exploitation can occur.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in WordPress allows leakage of sensitive data through the wp_die() function, potentially leading to unauthorized actions on behalf of users.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: wordpress-develop
Vendor: WordPress
Versions: >= 5.2.0, < 5.8.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability may be exploited by leveraging JSONP to access and extract sensitive data, which can then be used to perform malicious actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2021-39200 using the following measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update WordPress to version 5.8.1 or later to apply the patch.
Enable auto-updates to ensure timely installation of security fixes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories from WordPress and apply patches promptly.
Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms to mitigate information disclosure risks.
Conduct security assessments and audits to detect and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

WordPress has released version 5.8.1, which includes a fix for this vulnerability. Ensure your WordPress installation is updated to this version or newer.