CVE-2019-20173 : Security Advisory and Response

An XSS vulnerability was discovered in the Auth0 wp-auth0 plugin versions 3.11.x up to and including 3.11.3 for WordPress. This vulnerability is associated with the wle parameter in wp-login.php.

Understanding CVE-2019-20173

This CVE-2019-20173 vulnerability affects the Auth0 wp-auth0 plugin for WordPress, allowing for XSS attacks through a specific parameter.

What is CVE-2019-20173?

The Auth0 wp-auth0 plugin versions 3.11.x before 3.11.3 for WordPress are susceptible to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via the wle parameter in wp-login.php.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20173

This vulnerability could allow attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20173

The technical details of this CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

The Auth0 wp-auth0 plugin 3.11.x before 3.11.3 for WordPress allows XSS via a wle parameter associated with wp-login.php.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Auth0 wp-auth0 plugin
Versions: 3.11.x up to and including 3.11.3

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited through the wle parameter in wp-login.php, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-20173, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Auth0 wp-auth0 plugin to version 3.11.3 or newer.
Monitor for any suspicious activities on the affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and update plugins and software to the latest versions.
Implement input validation and output encoding to mitigate XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and patches released by Auth0.
Apply security updates promptly to protect against known vulnerabilities.