CVE-2021-4330 : What You Need to Know

This article provides details about CVE-2021-4330, a vulnerability affecting the Envato Elements & Download and Template Kit plugins for WordPress.

Understanding CVE-2021-4330

CVE-2021-4330 is a security vulnerability that allows attackers with contributor-level permissions and above to upload arbitrary files and potentially execute remote code on websites using vulnerable versions of the Template Kit and Envato Elements plugins.

What is CVE-2021-4330?

The vulnerability in the Envato Elements & Download and Template Kit plugins for WordPress arises due to insufficient validation of file types during the extraction of uploaded Zip files. This flaw enables attackers to perform arbitrary file uploads.

The Impact of CVE-2021-4330

The impact of CVE-2021-4330 includes the risk of unauthorized file uploads and potential remote code execution on affected websites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise site integrity and security.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-4330

Vulnerability Description

In affected versions of the Template Kit – Import and Envato Elements plugins (up to 1.0.13 and 2.0.10 respectively), insufficient validation of file types in certain functions allows attackers to upload arbitrary files, leading to potential remote code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Envato
Product: Template Kit – Import
Versions Affected: Up to and including 1.0.13
Product: Envato Elements – Photos & Elementor Templates
Versions Affected: Up to and including 2.0.10

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by uploading specially crafted Zip files to websites using the vulnerable versions of the Template Kit and Envato Elements plugins. By exploiting insufficient file type validation, attackers can achieve arbitrary file uploads and potentially execute malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2021-4330, users are advised to update the Template Kit – Import and Envato Elements plugins to versions that are not affected by the vulnerability. It is crucial to ensure that plugins are regularly updated to prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, website administrators should follow security best practices such as limiting user permissions, monitoring file uploads, and conducting regular security audits to detect and address vulnerabilities promptly.

Patching and Updates

Users should apply security patches released by plugin developers promptly. Regularly monitoring for updates and promptly installing them can help prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-4330.