CVE-2021-24424 in WP Reset Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2021
The WP Reset – Most Advanced WordPress Reset Tool WordPress plugin before 1.90 did not sanitise or escape its extra_data parameter when creating a snapshot via the admin dashboard, leading to an authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting issue
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-24424 affects the WP Reset plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 1.90, presenting a critical security risk through an authenticated stored cross-site scripting flaw. This issue arises from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's snapshot creation functionality accessed through the WordPress admin dashboard. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly handle user-supplied data in the extra_data parameter, which is processed without sufficient validation or sanitization measures. Attackers with authenticated access to the WordPress admin interface can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious scripts into the snapshot creation process, which then get stored and executed whenever the snapshot data is rendered or displayed to other authenticated users. The flaw directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and output escaping, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter usage through web shells or malicious script injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated attacker navigates to the WP Reset plugin's snapshot creation interface and submits malicious content through the extra_data parameter. The plugin processes this input without applying appropriate sanitization filters or escaping mechanisms, allowing HTML and JavaScript code to be stored directly within the snapshot data. When other administrators or users view the snapshot information through the admin dashboard, the stored malicious scripts execute in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability requires only authenticated access to the WordPress admin panel, which many WordPress installations already have legitimate users with such privileges. This means that the attack vector is accessible to any user who has been granted administrative or editor-level permissions on the WordPress site, making it a significant threat to organizations with less stringent access controls.
The operational implications of CVE-2021-24424 extend beyond simple script execution, as the stored XSS vulnerability can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. An attacker could potentially use the vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious code that could persist across multiple user sessions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where multiple administrators or editors have access to the WordPress dashboard, as it could allow an attacker to compromise the entire administrative interface. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to execute, as it only requires access to the WordPress admin interface and knowledge of basic XSS injection techniques. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the WP Reset plugin face a high risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, especially if they have users with elevated privileges who might not be properly vetted or monitored. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security practices in input validation and output escaping that are fundamental to preventing web application vulnerabilities.
The recommended mitigation strategy for CVE-2021-24424 involves immediate upgrading to WP Reset plugin version 1.90 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the sanitization and escaping issues in the extra_data parameter. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring of user access logs, and enforcement of least privilege principles for WordPress administrative accounts. The patch implemented by the plugin developers should include proper input validation using WordPress's built-in sanitization functions and output escaping mechanisms to prevent malicious code from being stored or executed. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns and conduct regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes. The fix should align with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and should be validated through security testing to ensure that all potential XSS vectors are properly addressed. Additionally, administrators should review and harden their WordPress security configurations, including implementing two-factor authentication and regularly updating all WordPress core files, themes, and plugins to maintain a secure environment.