CVE-2019-19979 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in the WP Maintenance plugin allowed attackers to activate maintenance mode on vulnerable websites and inject harmful code, leading to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2019-19979

This CVE involves a security flaw in the WP Maintenance plugin that could be exploited by malicious actors to impact website visitors.

What is CVE-2019-19979?

The vulnerability in the WP Maintenance plugin, versions prior to 5.0.6, enabled attackers to trigger maintenance mode on a susceptible site and insert malicious code, resulting in potential harm to visitors. The issue stemmed from Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) and led to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19979

The vulnerability posed a high risk to affected websites and their visitors due to the potential injection of harmful code and activation of maintenance mode without authorization.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19979

This section provides detailed technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the WP Maintenance plugin allowed unauthorized activation of maintenance mode and injection of malicious code, leading to XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

WP Maintenance plugin versions earlier than 5.0.6

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Availability Impact: High
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-19979 is crucial to prevent potential security breaches.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update WP Maintenance plugin to version 5.0.6 or newer
Monitor website for any suspicious activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and themes
Implement strong access controls and user permissions

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly