CVE-2017-6955 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability has been found in the by-email/by-email.php file within the Invite Anyone plugin for WordPress, allowing users to modify invitation email content, potentially leading to social engineering attacks.

Understanding CVE-2017-6955

What is CVE-2017-6955?

This CVE identifies a security flaw in the Invite Anyone plugin for WordPress, pre-version 1.3.15, enabling unauthorized users to alter the subject and content of invitation emails.

The Impact of CVE-2017-6955

The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate invitation emails, opening the door to social engineering tactics and potential exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-6955

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the by-email/by-email.php file of the Invite Anyone plugin, where users can change the subject and body of invitation emails, which should be immutable.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Invite Anyone plugin for WordPress
Vendor: N/A
Versions Affected: Prior to 1.3.15

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by modifying the invitation email content, potentially tricking recipients into taking malicious actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Invite Anyone plugin to version 1.3.15 or later.
Be cautious of invitation emails and verify their authenticity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Educate users on social engineering tactics and the importance of verifying email content.

Patching and Updates

Ensure all WordPress plugins are kept up to date to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.