CVE-2019-9881 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

WordPress plugin WPGraphQL 0.2.3 allows unauthenticated users to post comments on articles, bypassing 'allow comment' settings.

Understanding CVE-2019-9881

The WPGraphQL 0.2.3 plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability that enables unauthorized users to submit comments on any article, regardless of the 'allow comment' status.

What is CVE-2019-9881?

The createComment mutation in WPGraphQL 0.2.3 allows unauthenticated users to post comments on any article, even when the 'allow comment' feature is turned off.

The Impact of CVE-2019-9881

This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized comments being posted on articles, potentially affecting the integrity and security of the website.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-9881

The technical aspects of the CVE-2019-9881 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The WPGraphQL 0.2.3 plugin for WordPress allows unauthenticated users to submit comments on any article through the createComment mutation, bypassing the 'allow comment' function.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by sending a specially crafted request to the WPGraphQL plugin, enabling unauthorized users to post comments.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-9881, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the WPGraphQL plugin if not essential for website functionality.
Monitor for any unauthorized comments on articles.
Implement user authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and WordPress core to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits to identify and address potential weaknesses in the website.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the WPGraphQL plugin is updated to version 0.3.0 or newer, where the vulnerability has been fixed.