How severe is CVE-2021-24452?

CVE-2021-24452 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-2021-24452 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-24452?

CVE-2021-24452 affects Boldgrid W3 Total Cache. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-24452?

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

When was CVE-2021-24452 published?

CVE-2021-24452 was published on 2021-07-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-24452

CVE-2021-24452 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% (78th 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 2.1.5 was affected by a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue within the "extension" parameter in the Extensions dashboard, when the 'Anonymously track usage to improve product quality' setting is enabled, as the parameter is output in a JavaScript context without proper escaping. 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-2021-24452?: The W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin before 2.1.5 was affected by a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue within the "extension" parameter in the Extensions dashboard, when the 'Anonymously track usage to improve product quality' setting is enabled, as the parameter is output in a JavaScript context without proper escaping. 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-2021-24452?: CVE-2021-24452 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-2021-24452 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-24452?: CVE-2021-24452 affects Boldgrid W3 Total Cache. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-24452?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2021-24452 published?: CVE-2021-24452 was published on 2021-07-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/3e855e09-056f-45b5-89a9-d644b7d8c9d0

Affected products (1)

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

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