CVE-2019-14788 : Security Advisory and Response

The Tribulant Newsletters plugin version 4.6.19 and earlier for WordPress has a vulnerability in the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=newsletters_exportmultiple endpoint, allowing remote PHP code execution through directory traversal.

Understanding CVE-2019-14788

This CVE involves a security flaw in the Tribulant Newsletters plugin for WordPress that can be exploited to execute remote PHP code.

What is CVE-2019-14788?

The vulnerability in the Tribulant Newsletters plugin version 4.6.19 and earlier for WordPress enables attackers to execute remote PHP code by exploiting a directory traversal flaw.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14788

This vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the subscribers parameter in combination with an exportfile=../ value to carry out the attack.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14788

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=newsletters_exportmultiple endpoint in the Tribulant Newsletters plugin before version 4.6.19 for WordPress allows directory traversal, leading to remote PHP code execution via specific parameter manipulation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Tribulant Newsletters plugin
Vendor: Tribulant
Versions affected: 4.6.19 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the subscribers parameter along with an exportfile=../ value.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2019-14788 with the following measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Tribulant Newsletters plugin to the latest version.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review plugins for security vulnerabilities.
Implement least privilege access controls to limit potential damage.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to mitigate known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.