CVE-2021-4343 : Security Advisory and Response

A critical vulnerability in the Directory Listings WordPress plugin - uListing allows unauthenticated attackers to create accounts, including those with administrator privileges.

Understanding CVE-2021-4343

This CVE identifies a flaw in the plugin that can be exploited by unauthorized users to create accounts on the WordPress site.

What is CVE-2021-4343?

The Unauthenticated Account Creation plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthenticated account creation in versions up to 1.6.6. Attackers can abuse the stm_listing_register AJAX function to create accounts, including those with admin privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2021-4343

The vulnerability poses a critical risk as it allows unauthorized users to create accounts and potentially gain elevated privileges on the affected WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-4343

This section provides insights into the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw resides in the stm_listing_register AJAX function, which is accessible even to unauthenticated users, enabling them to create accounts with admin rights.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the Directory Listings WordPress plugin - uListing up to and including 1.6.6.

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users can exploit the vulnerable AJAX function to create accounts without authentication, potentially leading to unauthorized access and privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are essential steps to mitigate the CVE-2021-4343 vulnerability and enhance the security of affected WordPress installations.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or remove the vulnerable Directory Listings WordPress plugin - uListing if not essential for site operations.
Monitor site logs for any suspicious account creation activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Keep WordPress plugins, themes, and core files updated to prevent vulnerabilities.
Implement strong password policies and user roles to limit unauthorized actions.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates from the plugin vendor to address the vulnerability promptly.