CVE-2020-10568 : Security Advisory and Response

WordPress WPML plugin before 4.3.7-b.2 is vulnerable to CSRF due to a loose comparison, leading to remote code execution.

Understanding CVE-2020-10568

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in the WPML plugin for WordPress that can be exploited for remote code execution.

What is CVE-2020-10568?

The sitepress-multilingual-cms (WPML) plugin before version 4.3.7-b.2 for WordPress is susceptible to a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue caused by a loose comparison. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to execute remote code by sending specific requests that manipulate integer-string comparisons.

The Impact of CVE-2020-10568

This vulnerability allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary code remotely on affected WordPress sites, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or further compromise of the website.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-10568

The technical aspects of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The loose comparison vulnerability in the WPML plugin allows attackers to perform CSRF attacks, leading to remote code execution in the 'includes/class-wp-installer.php' file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: WPML plugin for WordPress
Vulnerable Versions: Before 4.3.7-b.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted requests that manipulate integer-string comparisons, tricking the system into executing malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-10568 and enhance security, consider the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update WPML plugin to version 4.3.7-b.2 or later to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor website activity for any suspicious behavior that could indicate an ongoing attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all plugins and themes to their latest versions to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong input validation and output encoding practices to mitigate CSRF and other injection attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for WordPress plugins and apply patches promptly to protect against emerging threats.