CVE-2021-24174 in Database Backups Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2021
The Database Backups WordPress plugin through 1.2.2.6 does not have CSRF checks, allowing attackers to make a logged in user unwanted actions, such as generate backups of the database, change the plugin's settings and delete backups.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2025
The CVE-2021-24174 vulnerability affects the Database Backups WordPress plugin version 1.2.2.6 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations. This vulnerability stems from the absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms within the plugin's administrative interfaces. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users who are logged into their WordPress admin panels, creating a significant risk for compromised sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the WordPress plugin ecosystem where users typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's failure to validate the origin of administrative requests through proper CSRF token verification. When a user accesses the plugin's administrative functions, such as generating database backups, modifying plugin settings, or deleting backup files, the system does not require a valid nonce or CSRF token to authenticate these operations. This absence of validation creates a pathway for attackers to craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress system. The vulnerability can be exploited through various means including social engineering attacks where users are tricked into clicking malicious links or through compromised user sessions where attackers leverage existing authenticated sessions to perform unauthorized actions. According to the CWE catalog, this represents a variant of CWE-352 Cross-Site Request Forgery, which specifically addresses the lack of proper validation for requests originating from authenticated users.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-24174 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data compromise and system disruption. Attackers can generate database backups containing sensitive information, modify plugin configurations to disable security features or redirect backup storage, and delete existing backups which could result in data loss. The vulnerability particularly affects WordPress environments where administrators frequently perform database backup operations, as these actions provide attackers with access to potentially sensitive data. The risk is amplified when considering that WordPress plugins often have broad access to system resources and user data, making this vulnerability a potential vector for more extensive attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can leverage the authenticated session to execute commands and maintain persistence through the plugin's administrative interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-24174 should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 1.2.2.7 or later, which contains the necessary CSRF protection mechanisms. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular monitoring of plugin access logs, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and conducting thorough security audits of installed plugins. The WordPress core development team and security researchers recommend that all users immediately update their installations to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security headers can provide additional layers of protection against CSRF attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions and regular security training for administrators to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that could exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where elevated privileges are granted.