CVE-2019-19980 : What You Need to Know

WordPress plugin Email Subscribers & Newsletters prior to version 4.2.3 had a privilege bypass vulnerability that allowed authenticated users to send test emails pretending to be an administrator.

Understanding CVE-2019-19980

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the Email Subscribers & Newsletters WordPress plugin that could be exploited by authenticated users with Subscriber-level access or higher.

What is CVE-2019-19980?

The vulnerability allowed users to send test emails through the administrative dashboard, masquerading as an administrator.
It stemmed from the plugin's registration of a wp_ajax function for sending test emails.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19980

CVSS Score: 4.3 (Medium)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: Low
Availability Impact: Low
Confidentiality Impact: None
Integrity Impact: None
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19980

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

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allowed users to bypass privileges and send test emails as if they were administrators.

Affected Systems and Versions

Plugin: Email Subscribers & Newsletters
Affected Version: Prior to 4.2.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated users with Subscriber-level access or higher could exploit the vulnerability by sending test emails through the administrative dashboard.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Email Subscribers & Newsletters plugin to version 4.2.3 or newer.
Monitor for any unauthorized email sending activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update user access levels to prevent unauthorized actions.
Educate users on email security best practices to prevent misuse of privileges.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about plugin updates and security patches to address vulnerabilities promptly.