CVE-2019-25141 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2019-25141 is a critical vulnerability found in the Easy WP SMTP plugin for WordPress, allowing unauthorized individuals to bypass authorization and manipulate website settings.

Understanding CVE-2019-25141

This CVE identifies a security flaw in the Easy WP SMTP plugin for WordPress that enables unauthenticated attackers to exploit the plugin's settings.

What is CVE-2019-25141?

Versions of the Easy WP SMTP plugin for WordPress up to and including 1.3.9 have a vulnerability that allows unauthorized individuals to bypass authorization. This issue arises due to the absence of capability checks in the admin_init() function and inadequate input validation. Consequently, unauthenticated attackers can manipulate the plugin's settings and various options on the website, creating opportunities to introduce new administrative user accounts.

The Impact of CVE-2019-25141

The vulnerability poses a critical threat with a CVSS base score of 9.8, indicating a high severity level.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-25141

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

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Easy WP SMTP plugin allows unauthorized users to bypass authorization and gain control over website settings.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: smub
Product: Easy WP SMTP by SendLayer – WordPress SMTP and Email Log Plugin
Versions affected: up to and including 1.3.9

Exploitation Mechanism

Lack of capability checks in the admin_init() function
Inadequate input validation

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-25141 is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and manipulation of website settings.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Easy WP SMTP plugin to version 1.3.9.1 or higher
Monitor website settings for any unauthorized changes

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and software to patch vulnerabilities
Implement strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by the plugin developer to address the vulnerability