CVE-2020-11515 : What You Need to Know

The Rank Math plugin for WordPress through version 1.0.40.2 is vulnerable to an issue that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to create new URIs that redirect to external websites.

Understanding CVE-2020-11515

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in the Rank Math plugin for WordPress that enables attackers to create new URIs via a specific API endpoint.

What is CVE-2020-11515?

The Rank Math plugin for WordPress, up to version 1.0.40.2, permits unauthenticated remote attackers to generate new URIs that redirect to external websites using a particular API endpoint.

The Impact of CVE-2020-11515

This vulnerability allows attackers to create new URIs with arbitrary names, potentially leading to phishing attacks or the redirection of users to malicious websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-11515

The technical aspects of this CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Rank Math plugin allows attackers to create new URIs that redirect to external sites through a specific API endpoint.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Rank Math plugin
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: Up to 1.0.40.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted requests to the unsecured rankmath/v1/updateRedirection REST API endpoint.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-11515, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Rank Math plugin to the latest version to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict API access to prevent unauthorized URI creation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update security configurations for WordPress plugins.
Educate users on safe browsing practices to avoid falling victim to malicious redirects.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities in plugins like Rank Math.