CVE-2019-20361 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

WordPress plugin Email Subscribers & Newsletters before version 4.3.1 had a blind SQL injection vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2019-20361

This CVE involves a flaw in the Email Subscribers & Newsletters WordPress plugin that allowed SQL injection through the hash parameter.

What is CVE-2019-20361?

Prior to version 4.3.1, a vulnerability in the Email Subscribers & Newsletters plugin allowed attackers to execute SQL statements via the hash parameter, leading to a blind SQL injection flaw.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20361

The vulnerability had a CVSS base score of 8.3, indicating a high severity level with low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20361

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the Email Subscribers & Newsletters plugin allowed malicious actors to pass SQL statements to the database through the hash parameter, resulting in a blind SQL injection vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: WordPress plugin Email Subscribers & Newsletters
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: Before 4.3.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
Scope: Changed
User Interaction: None

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-20361 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Email Subscribers & Newsletters plugin to version 4.3.1 or newer.
Monitor database activities for any suspicious SQL injection attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all plugins and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to all WordPress plugins and software to mitigate the risk of SQL injection vulnerabilities.