CVE-2021-4413 in Process Steps Template Designer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2023
The Process Steps Template Designer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 1.2.1. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the save() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to save field icons via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The Process Steps Template Designer plugin for WordPress presents a critical cross-site request forgery vulnerability that affects versions up to and including 1.2.1. This vulnerability stems from insufficient security controls within the plugin's save() function, which fails to properly validate nonce tokens that are essential for authenticating administrative actions. The flaw creates a dangerous attack vector where unauthenticated adversaries can manipulate the plugin's functionality through carefully crafted malicious requests. The vulnerability operates under the principle that legitimate administrative actions can be performed without proper authorization, potentially allowing attackers to execute unauthorized modifications to the plugin's configuration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the absence of proper nonce validation mechanisms within the plugin's administrative interface. Nonce validation is a fundamental security pattern that ensures requests originate from legitimate administrative sessions and prevents malicious actors from exploiting the plugin's save functionality. When a plugin fails to validate nonces properly, it essentially removes a critical barrier that should prevent unauthorized modifications to system configurations. This weakness aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities in web applications. The flaw represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege, where administrative functions should require explicit authentication and authorization before execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it enables attackers to modify field icons and potentially other plugin elements through forged requests. An attacker can craft malicious requests that appear to come from legitimate administrative sessions, thereby bypassing the normal authentication requirements. This creates a scenario where an administrator might unknowingly trigger malicious actions simply by visiting a compromised website or clicking on a malicious link. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction from the administrator, making it a significant threat to WordPress sites that utilize this plugin. The attack vector typically involves social engineering techniques where administrators are tricked into visiting malicious websites or clicking on compromised links, which then execute the forged requests in the context of their authenticated sessions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that properly implement nonce validation. WordPress administrators should prioritize updating the Process Steps Template Designer plugin to the latest available version that addresses this specific security flaw. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices can help prevent similar issues in other plugin components. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices including proper authentication mechanisms, input validation, and regular security updates. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through web application exploitation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response procedures.