CVE-2021-24407 in Jannah Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 07/06/2021
The Jannah WordPress theme before 5.4.5 did not properly sanitize the 'query' POST parameter in its tie_ajax_search AJAX action, leading to a Reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-24407 affects the Jannah WordPress theme version 5.4.4 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that exposes WordPress installations to reflected cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability specifically resides within the theme's AJAX handling mechanism, where the 'query' parameter submitted through POST requests is not adequately sanitized before being processed and returned to users. The flaw exists in the tie_ajax_search functionality which serves as a search interface component for the theme, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit user sessions and inject malicious payloads. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a core weakness leading to XSS vulnerabilities. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that exploit the unsanitized parameter, potentially executing arbitrary scripts in the context of a victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this reflected XSS vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including credential harvesting, malware distribution, and privilege escalation within the affected WordPress environment. When users interact with the vulnerable search functionality, the malicious script embedded in the 'query' parameter executes in their browser, potentially stealing cookies, redirecting to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the user. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload must be delivered through external means such as phishing emails or compromised websites, as the attack requires the victim to click on a specially crafted link containing the malicious payload. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently engage with external content or where social engineering attacks are common. The vulnerability operates within the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links, and can facilitate subsequent T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-24407 should prioritize immediate patching of the Jannah theme to version 5.4.5 or later, which includes proper input sanitization for the affected AJAX endpoint. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly focusing on the specific 'query' parameter in the tie_ajax_search function. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution and preventing unauthorized code injection attempts. Regular security audits of WordPress themes and plugins should be conducted to identify similar sanitization gaps, with particular attention to AJAX endpoints that process user input. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious patterns in AJAX requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of clicking on suspicious links and the importance of keeping WordPress themes updated plays a crucial role in reducing the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, which are fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the ISO/IEC 27001 information security management standards. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting known XSS attack patterns. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should include checks for similar unsanitized input parameters across all WordPress themes and plugins to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining undetected in the broader ecosystem.