How severe is CVE-2021-24436?

CVE-2021-24436 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.

Is CVE-2021-24436 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (77th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-24436?

CVE-2021-24436 affects Boldgrid W3 Total Cache. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-24436?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2021-24436 published?

CVE-2021-24436 was published on 2021-07-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-24436

CVE-2021-24436 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Boldgrid W3 Total Cache with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-79.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.1)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (77th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-79
Affected product: Boldgrid W3 Total Cache
Published: 2021-07-19
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin before 2.1.4 was vulnerable to a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) security vulnerability within the "extension" parameter in the Extensions dashboard, which is output in an attribute without being escaped first. This could allow an attacker, who can convince an authenticated admin into clicking a link, to run malicious JavaScript within the user's web browser, which could lead to full site compromise.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-24436?: The W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin before 2.1.4 was vulnerable to a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) security vulnerability within the "extension" parameter in the Extensions dashboard, which is output in an attribute without being escaped first. This could allow an attacker, who can convince an authenticated admin into clicking a link, to run malicious JavaScript within the user's web browser, which could lead to full site compromise.
How severe is CVE-2021-24436?: CVE-2021-24436 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.
Is CVE-2021-24436 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (77th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-24436?: CVE-2021-24436 affects Boldgrid W3 Total Cache. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-24436?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2021-24436 published?: CVE-2021-24436 was published on 2021-07-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/05988ebb-7378-4a3a-9d2d-30f8f58fe9ef

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:boldgrid:w3_total_cache:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*

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