CVE-2019-15896 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in the LifterLMS plugin up to version 3.34.5 for WordPress, potentially leading to privilege escalation, website redirection, and stored XSS.

Understanding CVE-2019-15896

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the LifterLMS plugin for WordPress that could allow attackers to escalate privileges and perform other malicious actions.

What is CVE-2019-15896?

The class.llms.admin.import.php script in the LifterLMS plugin up to version 3.34.5 for WordPress contains an upload_import function that is vulnerable to an options import issue. Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to privilege escalation, website redirection, and stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2019-15896

If exploited, this vulnerability could result in the creation of administrator accounts, website redirection, and the execution of stored XSS attacks, posing a significant security risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-15896

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The upload_import function in the class.llms.admin.import.php script of the LifterLMS plugin is susceptible to an options import vulnerability, allowing for privilege escalation, website redirection, and stored XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

LifterLMS plugin up to version 3.34.5 for WordPress

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the options import functionality in the affected script, potentially leading to privilege escalation and other malicious activities.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-15896 and enhance security, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the LifterLMS plugin to the latest version available.
Monitor administrator account creation and review existing accounts for any unauthorized changes.
Implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious traffic.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review plugin code for vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe practices to prevent XSS attacks.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed and system security is maintained.