CVE-2021-38353 in Dropdown and Scrollable Text Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2021
The Dropdown and scrollable Text WordPress plugin is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the content parameter found in the ~/index.php file which allows attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts, in versions up to and including 2.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-38353 affects the Dropdown and scrollable Text WordPress plugin, representing a critical security flaw that has persisted through versions up to and including 2.0. This issue manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that exploits improper input validation within the plugin's core functionality. The vulnerability specifically targets the content parameter within the ~/index.php file, creating an attack vector that enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts into the plugin's output. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload is reflected off the web server back to the victim's browser, making it particularly dangerous for exploitation in targeted attacks.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization and validation of user-supplied input parameters within the plugin's processing logic. The content parameter fails to properly filter or escape potentially malicious script content before rendering it in the plugin's output, allowing attackers to craft payloads that execute within the context of authenticated users' browsers. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a widely used WordPress plugin, potentially compromising numerous websites that have not yet updated to patched versions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise user sessions and potentially escalate to full system compromise. When exploited, the reflected XSS vulnerability allows attackers to steal cookies, modify page content, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress installations where the plugin is actively used, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active until the affected plugin is updated. The attack surface is further expanded due to the plugin's widespread adoption, meaning that successful exploitation could affect a large number of websites simultaneously. Organizations running vulnerable versions of this plugin face significant risk of data breaches, user impersonation, and potential compromise of their entire WordPress installation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-38353 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the reflected XSS vulnerability. Administrators must ensure that all instances of the Dropdown and scrollable Text plugin are updated to patched versions that properly sanitize input parameters and implement proper output encoding. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future versions. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation strategy. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable plugins or components within WordPress installations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping all WordPress plugins updated and following security best practices such as implementing proper access controls, monitoring for suspicious activity, and maintaining comprehensive backup strategies to quickly recover from potential exploitation events. This vulnerability exemplifies the critical need for proper input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing client-side attacks.