CVE-2021-43265 : What You Need to Know

In Mahara before 20.04.5, 20.10.3, 21.04.2, and 21.10.0, certain tag syntax could be used for XSS vulnerabilities, such as via a SCRIPT element.

Understanding CVE-2021-43265

This CVE identifies an XSS vulnerability in Mahara versions prior to 20.04.5, 20.10.3, 21.04.2, and 21.10.0.

What is CVE-2021-43265?

This vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a legitimate site, potentially compromising user data and session information.

The Impact of CVE-2021-43265

Allows for cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, enabling the injection of harmful scripts into web pages.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-43265

This section provides specific technical details regarding the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows certain tag syntax to be exploited for XSS, including utilizing a SCRIPT element.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mahara versions before 20.04.5, 20.10.3, 21.04.2, and 21.10.0 are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can craft malicious tags that execute scripts when processed by vulnerable Mahara versions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Following are the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-43265.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Mahara to version 20.04.5, 20.10.3, 21.04.2, or 21.10.0 to eliminate the vulnerability.
Implement input validation to filter out potentially malicious scripts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Mahara and other software to patch security flaws.
Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.