CVE-2019-13463 : Security Advisory and Response

The Simple Link Directory plugin for WordPress has an XSS vulnerability in the qcopd-shortcode-generator.php file, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML.

Understanding CVE-2019-13463

This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in the Simple Link Directory plugin for WordPress.

What is CVE-2019-13463?

This CVE refers to an XSS vulnerability in the qcopd-shortcode-generator.php file of the Simple Link Directory plugin for WordPress.

The Impact of CVE-2019-13463

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML due to improper use of esc_html in certain statements.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-13463

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in the qcopd-shortcode-generator.php file enables attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the Simple Link Directory plugin prior to 7.3.5.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the lack of proper esc_html usage in the "echo get_the_title()" or "echo $term->name" statement.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability is crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Simple Link Directory plugin to version 7.3.5 or newer.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all plugins and themes to their latest versions.
Conduct security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by plugin developers.
Apply patches promptly to ensure system security.