Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-24349 affects the Gallery from files WordPress plugin through version 1.6.0. A malicious filename can be reflected in an error message without proper sanitization, potentially running script in a victim's browser. The source also notes missing CSRF protection, which can make abuse easier if a user can be induced to trigger the action.
Executive priority
Treat this as a moderate-priority WordPress plugin exposure. It is not confirmed exploited, but XSS in an authenticated web workflow can support session abuse, credential theft, or administrative action if a privileged user is targeted.
Technical view
The flaw is reflected XSS caused by unsanitized filenames displayed in invalid-extension error output. The CVE maps to CWE-79 and CWE-352 because CSRF checks are also missing. Sources do not provide CVSS, a confirmed fixed version, or detailed remediation guidance.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress sites running Gallery from files version 1.6.0 or earlier, especially where image upload functionality is reachable by authenticated users.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not report active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. Exploitation appears to require victim interaction or a CSRF-style trigger involving a crafted upload-related request.
Researcher notes
Evidence is concise but incomplete: the root cause, affected version boundary, XSS class, and CSRF weakness are stated, but no CVSS, exploit status, patch version, or vendor advisory details are included in the bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for Gallery from files version 1.6.0 or earlier.
- Check vendor, WordPress plugin, or WPScan guidance for a fixed maintained release.
- Disable or remove the plugin if no fixed version is available.
- Limit plugin access to trusted authenticated users until remediation is complete.
- Review web security controls that reduce XSS impact, such as strict content security policy.
Validation and detection
- Confirm the installed plugin name and version on each WordPress site.
- Review whether upload-related plugin actions are exposed to untrusted users.
- Check vendor or WPScan records for current remediation status.
- Search logs for suspicious upload errors involving unusual filenames.
- Verify CSRF protections exist around upload-related plugin actions after remediation.
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-352: 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 lookupCWE-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-2021-24349 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/6bb4eb71-d702-4732-b01f-b723077d66caCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
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.