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CVE Record

CVE-2021-24433: Simple Sort&Search <= 0.0.3 - Ccontributor+ Stored XSS

The simple sort&search WordPress plugin through 0.0.3 does not make sure that the indexurl parameter of the shortcodes "category_sims", "order_sims", "orderby_sims", "period_sims", and "tag_sims" use allowed URL protocols, which can lead to stored cross-site scripting by users with a role as low as Contributor

MediumCVSS 5.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A WordPress plugin, simple sort&search through 0.0.3, can store unsafe scriptable URLs inside specific shortcodes. A Contributor-level user may be able to plant content that executes in another user’s browser when viewed, creating account and content-integrity risk.

Executive priority

Prioritize for WordPress environments that allow non-admin publishing. The issue is medium severity, but stored XSS can affect trusted users and site integrity.

Technical view

The plugin fails to restrict allowed URL protocols for the indexurl parameter in category_sims, order_sims, orderby_sims, period_sims, and tag_sims shortcodes. This is stored XSS, CWE-79, requiring low privileges and user interaction. CVSS 3.1 score is 5.4.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to WordPress sites running simple sort&search through version 0.0.3, especially where Contributor or higher users can create content containing the affected shortcodes.

Exploitation context

The bundle includes a WPScan reference tagged as exploit, but no KEV listing and no cited evidence of active exploitation. Treat exploit availability as plausible, not confirmed active use.

Researcher notes

The source bundle does not identify a fixed version, vendor advisory, or active exploitation. Analysis should stay scoped to the named shortcodes, indexurl protocol validation failure, Contributor-level stored XSS, and WordPress deployments using versions through 0.0.3.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory WordPress sites for the simple sort&search plugin and its version.
  • Disable or remove affected versions until vendor guidance or a fixed release is confirmed.
  • Restrict Contributor access where affected shortcode use is possible.
  • Review and remove untrusted content using the affected shortcodes.
  • Monitor WordPress content changes and privileged account activity.

Validation and detection

  • Check installed plugin versions against simple sort&search through 0.0.3.
  • Search site content for the affected shortcode names.
  • Review indexurl parameter values for unsafe or unexpected protocols.
  • Confirm which roles can create or edit posts containing shortcodes.
  • Check CVE and WPScan entries for updated vendor remediation.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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 · medium confidence lookup

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.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-24433 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.4 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.4CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N2.32.7Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.4Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-24433Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Unknownsimple sort&search0affected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-79

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.