CVE-2021-4426 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed analysis of CVE-2021-4426, a Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability affecting the Absolute Reviews plugin for WordPress.

Understanding CVE-2021-4426

This section covers the crucial details regarding CVE-2021-4426.

What is CVE-2021-4426?

The Absolute Reviews plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 1.0.8. This vulnerability arises from missing or incorrect nonce validation on the metabox_review_save() function, allowing unauthenticated attackers to save meta tags through a forged request.

The Impact of CVE-2021-4426

The vulnerability in Absolute Reviews plugin exposes WordPress sites using affected versions to the risk of unauthorized meta tag modification by malicious actors, potentially leading to various security compromises.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-4426

In this section, we delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-4426.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Absolute Reviews plugin arises from inadequate nonce validation on the metabox_review_save() function, leading to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Absolute Reviews plugin versions up to and including 1.0.8.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by tricking site administrators into executing actions like clicking on a link, enabling them to forge requests and manipulate meta tags.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section provides insights on addressing the CVE-2021-4426 vulnerability in Absolute Reviews plugin.

Immediate Steps to Take

WordPress site administrators are advised to update the Absolute Reviews plugin to a patched version beyond 1.0.8 and implement security best practices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Adopting secure coding practices, regularly monitoring plugins for vulnerabilities, and educating users on potential threats can enhance the overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Stay proactive in applying security patches released by the plugin developer to mitigate the risk of CSRF attacks and other potential security threats.