CVE-2021-24364 in Jannah Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 06/22/2021
The Jannah WordPress theme before 5.4.4 did not properly sanitize the options JSON parameter in its tie_get_user_weather AJAX action before outputting it back in the page, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-24364 affects the Jannah WordPress theme version 5.4.3 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that exposes users to reflected cross-site scripting attacks. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the theme's AJAX handling mechanism, specifically in the tie_get_user_weather action where user-supplied data is processed without proper sanitization. The vulnerability occurs when the theme fails to properly sanitize the options JSON parameter before incorporating it into the response output, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious requests containing crafted JavaScript payloads within the options JSON parameter. When the vulnerable theme processes this input through the tie_get_user_weather AJAX endpoint and subsequently reflects it back in the HTML response, the malicious code executes in the victim's browser context. This creates a classic reflected XSS scenario where the attack payload is delivered via a malicious URL containing the injected script, which when clicked by an unsuspecting user, executes the malicious code in their browser. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate AJAX functionality of the theme, making it more difficult to detect and block through standard security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-24364 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to steal user sessions, access sensitive information, or manipulate the theme's functionality to spread malware throughout the affected WordPress installation. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can deliver payloads through phishing emails, malicious links, or compromised websites, making it particularly effective in social engineering campaigns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines the weakness of Cross-Site Scripting, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing and T1566.002 for Spearphishing via Service, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish initial access or expand their foothold within compromised environments.
The remediation for CVE-2021-24364 requires immediate upgrading to Jannah theme version 5.4.4 or later, which includes proper input sanitization for the options JSON parameter in the tie_get_user_weather AJAX action. Additionally, administrators should implement proper content security policies to mitigate the impact of potential exploitation attempts, though this serves as a secondary defense rather than a complete solution. Security best practices recommend that all WordPress themes and plugins implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms, particularly for AJAX endpoints that handle user-supplied data. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and demonstrates the critical need for regular security updates and vulnerability assessments of WordPress themes and plugins. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious AJAX requests to detect potential exploitation attempts.