CVE-2018-20153 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2018-20153, a WordPress vulnerability allowing contributors to manipulate comments, potentially leading to XSS issues. Find mitigation steps and update recommendations here.
WordPress versions prior to 4.9.9 and 5.x before 5.0.1 were vulnerable to contributors tampering with new comments, potentially leading to cross-site scripting (XSS) issues.
Understanding CVE-2018-20153
Contributors in WordPress had the ability to manipulate new comments, posing a risk of XSS vulnerabilities.
What is CVE-2018-20153?
This CVE refers to a security vulnerability in WordPress versions before 4.9.9 and 5.x before 5.0.1, allowing contributors to alter new comments and potentially exploit XSS.
The Impact of CVE-2018-20153
The vulnerability could lead to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, compromising the security and integrity of WordPress websites.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-20153
WordPress vulnerability details and affected systems.
Vulnerability Description
Contributors could modify new comments by users with higher permissions, creating a potential XSS risk in WordPress versions pre-4.9.9 and 5.x before 5.0.1.
Affected Systems and Versions
- WordPress versions before 4.9.9
- WordPress 5.x before 5.0.1
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability allowed contributors to tamper with new comments, exploiting the XSS vulnerability.
Mitigation and Prevention
Steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2018-20153 vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update WordPress to version 4.9.9 or 5.0.1 to patch the security flaw.
- Monitor and review comments for any suspicious activity.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update WordPress and plugins to the latest versions.
- Educate users on secure commenting practices to prevent XSS attacks.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches promptly to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.