CVE-2021-24841: The Helpful WordPress plugin before 4.4.59 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allo

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-24841?

helpful: upgrade to 4.4.59. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-24841 being exploited?

CVE-2021-24841 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-2021-24841 affect?

CVE-2021-24841 affects helpful. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.8). The Helpful WordPress plugin before 4.4.59 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-24841?

Priority 36/100. Public exploit reference

Routine

MEDIUM 4.8UPGRADE

CVE-2021-24841 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.8) affecting helpful. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Helpful WordPress plugin before 4.4.59 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.8 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 45%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	2021-11-17
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): WPScan · Vendor: helpful project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

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

helpful project helpful UPGRADE

Affected: < 4.4.59

Fixed in: 4.4.59

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy helpful || rpm -q helpful || helpful --version

2. UPGRADE to 4.4.59 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade helpful

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade helpful

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-2021-24841?

helpful: upgrade to 4.4.59. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-24841 being exploited?

CVE-2021-24841 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-2021-24841 affect?

CVE-2021-24841 affects helpful. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.8). The Helpful WordPress plugin before 4.4.59 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed

How urgent is CVE-2021-24841?

Priority 36/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-2834 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE The Helpful WordPress plugin before 4.5.26 puts the exported logs and feedbacks in a publicly accessible locat

References

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