CVE-2019-20360 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in Give version 2.5.5 and earlier, a plugin for WordPress, allowed unauthorized users to bypass API authentication methods and access personally identifiable user information (PII) such as names, addresses, IP addresses, and email addresses.

Understanding CVE-2019-20360

This CVE involves a security flaw in the Give WordPress plugin that could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive donor data.

What is CVE-2019-20360?

The vulnerability in Give version 2.5.5 and earlier allowed unauthorized users to bypass API authentication methods and retrieve PII, compromising donor data.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20360

Confidentiality Impact: High
Base Score: 7.5 (High Severity)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20360

The technical aspects of the vulnerability in Give WordPress plugin.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allowed unauthenticated users to bypass API authentication methods and access PII, including names, addresses, IP addresses, and email addresses.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: Give version 2.5.5 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

By assigning an API key value to a specific meta key in the wp_usermeta table and setting the token to the corresponding MD5 hash of the selected meta key, unauthorized access to restricted endpoints and confidential donor data was possible.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2019-20360.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Give plugin to the latest version.
Monitor user access and API requests for suspicious activity.
Implement strong authentication methods.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review plugin security.
Educate users on secure practices when handling donor data.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly.
Stay informed about plugin vulnerabilities and updates.