CVE-2021-39345 : What You Need to Know

The HAL WordPress plugin version 2.1.1 and below is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting, allowing attackers with administrative access to inject malicious scripts.

Understanding CVE-2021-39345

This CVE involves an authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability impacting the HAL WordPress plugin.

What is CVE-2021-39345?

The HAL WordPress plugin up to version 2.1.1 is susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting due to inadequate input validation, enabling attackers with administrative user privileges to insert harmful web scripts.

The Impact of CVE-2021-39345

The vulnerability possesses a CVSS base score of 5.5 (Medium severity) with low impacts on confidentiality and integrity. However, privileged access is required to exploit the issue.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-39345

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization in various parameters within the ~/wp-hal.php file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: HAL
Vendor: HAL
Versions Affected: Up to and including 2.1.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with administrative user access can exploit the vulnerability to inject arbitrary web scripts, particularly in multi-site installations where unfiltered_html is disabled for administrators.

Mitigation and Prevention

Explore the necessary steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Uninstall the HAL plugin from WordPress sites to eliminate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update WordPress plugins to patch known vulnerabilities promptly.

Patching and Updates

Keep the WordPress plugins up-to-date with the latest versions to address security issues effectively.