CVE-2018-16966 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The mndpsingh287 File Manager plugin version 3.0 for WordPress has a CSRF vulnerability through its public_path parameter.

Understanding CVE-2018-16966

This CVE involves a security issue in the mndpsingh287 File Manager plugin for WordPress.

What is CVE-2018-16966?

The vulnerability in the plugin allows for CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) via the public_path parameter on a specific page.

The Impact of CVE-2018-16966

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-16966

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The mndpsingh287 File Manager plugin version 3.0 for WordPress is susceptible to CSRF attacks through the public_path parameter on the page=wp_file_manager_root page.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by tricking a logged-in user into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a crafted link, leading to unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-16966 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or remove the vulnerable plugin from WordPress installations.
Regularly monitor for any suspicious activities on the website.

Long-Term Security Practices

Keep all plugins and software up to date to prevent vulnerabilities.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on unknown links or visiting untrusted websites.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of CSRF attacks.
Consider using security plugins or tools to enhance website security.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the mndpsingh287 File Manager plugin is updated to a secure version or consider alternative plugins that do not have the CSRF vulnerability.