CVE-2021-46781 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The Coming Soon by Supsystic WordPress plugin before 1.7.6 is susceptible to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2021-46781

The CVE-2021-46781 vulnerability in the Coming Soon by Supsystic plugin could allow an attacker to execute malicious scripts on a user's browser.

What is CVE-2021-46781?

The issue arises from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs, specifically the tab parameter, before displaying it on the admin dashboard, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts.

The Impact of CVE-2021-46781

Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting attacks, potentially compromising user data, sessions, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the user.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-46781

The technical aspects of the CVE-2021-46781 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The Coming Soon by Supsystic plugin before version 1.7.6 fails to properly sanitize and escape the tab parameter, allowing for the injection of malicious scripts during user interactions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Coming Soon by Supsystic
Vendor: Unknown
Versions Affected: < 1.7.6

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious link containing the tampered tab parameter and enticing a user with admin privileges to click on it, triggering the execution of the injected script.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-46781, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Coming Soon by Supsystic plugin to version 1.7.6 or later.
Consider implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) to mitigate XSS risks.
Regularly monitor for suspicious activities in the admin dashboard.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users on safe browsing practices to avoid clicking on untrusted links.
Conduct security audits and code reviews for WordPress plugins regularly.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches provided by the plugin vendor and apply them promptly.