CVE-2021-24471: The YouTube Embed WordPress plugin before 5.2.2 does not validate, escape or sanitise some of its shortcode at

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-24471?

youtube embed: upgrade to 5.2.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-24471 being exploited?

CVE-2021-24471 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2021-24471 affect?

CVE-2021-24471 affects youtube embed. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.4). The YouTube Embed WordPress plugin before 5.2.2 does not validate, escape or sanitise some of its shortcode attributes, leading to Stored XSS issues by 1. using w, h, controls, cc_lang, color, language, start, stop, or style parameter of yo

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-24471?

Priority 36/100. Public exploit reference

Routine

MEDIUM 5.4UPGRADE

CVE-2021-24471 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.4) affecting youtube embed. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The YouTube Embed WordPress plugin before 5.2.2 does not validate, escape or sanitise some of its shortcode attributes, leading to Stored XSS issues by 1. using w, h, controls, cc_lang, color, language, start, stop, or style parameter of youtube shortcode, 2. by using style, class, rel, target, width, height, or alt parameter of youtube_thumb shortcode, or 3. by embedding a video whose title or description contains XSS payload (if API key is conf

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.4 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 52%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	2021-08-16
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): WPScan · Vendor: youtube embed project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-08-16 11:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:40 UTCUpdated Record last modified

youtube embed project youtube embed UPGRADE

Affected: < 5.2.2

Fixed in: 5.2.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy youtube-embed || rpm -q youtube-embed || youtube-embed --version

2. UPGRADE to 5.2.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade youtube-embed

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade youtube-embed

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-24471?

youtube embed: upgrade to 5.2.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-24471 being exploited?

CVE-2021-24471 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-24471 affect?

CVE-2021-24471 affects youtube embed. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.4). The YouTube Embed WordPress plugin before 5.2.2 does not validate, escape or sanitise some of its shortcode attributes, leading to Stored XSS issues by 1. using w, h, controls, cc_lang, color, language, start, stop, or style parameter of yo

How urgent is CVE-2021-24471?

Priority 36/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities

References

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