Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This affects WordPress sites using the Pods custom content plugin before 2.7.27. An authenticated user could store malicious script in the Singular Label setting, causing it to run later in another user’s browser. Business impact depends on who can edit Pods settings and what privileges victims have.
Executive priority
Treat as a near-term hygiene fix for WordPress estates using Pods. It is not supported as actively exploited in the provided sources, but stored XSS can become serious if privileged users view attacker-controlled content.
Technical view
CVE-2021-24338 is a CWE-79 authenticated stored XSS in Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields before 2.7.27, specifically in the Singular Label field parameter. The provided sources do not include CVSS scoring, exploit maturity, or detailed privilege requirements beyond authenticated access.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to WordPress installations running the Pods plugin below 2.7.27, especially where non-administrators can access Pods configuration or content-type management screens.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Public records identify the vulnerability class and affected plugin version range but do not provide verified exploitation status.
Researcher notes
Evidence is sparse. The key technical fact is authenticated stored XSS in the Singular Label field parameter before 2.7.27. Validate role requirements and reachable admin flows in the target environment without assuming unauthenticated exploitability.
Mitigation direction
- Update Pods to version 2.7.27 or later.
- Restrict Pods configuration access to trusted administrators.
- Review vendor guidance before choosing compensating controls.
- Audit Pods labels and configuration for unexpected script content.
- Confirm WordPress user roles follow least privilege.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WordPress sites using the Pods plugin.
- Check installed Pods versions against the 2.7.27 fixed threshold.
- Review who can edit Pods custom content types and fields.
- Inspect the Singular Label field for suspicious markup or script.
- Confirm update completion in plugin management records.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-24338 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/d5b015f3-90c7-4d51-a71d-630d60965151CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://www.whitesourcesoftware.com/vulnerability-database/CVE-2021-24338CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.