CVE-2020-20634 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Elementor 2.9.5 and below WordPress plugin allows authenticated users to activate its safe mode feature, potentially leading to the disabling of all security plugins on the blog.

Understanding CVE-2020-20634

This CVE involves a privilege escalation vulnerability in the Elementor WordPress plugin.

What is CVE-2020-20634?

Elementor 2.9.5 and earlier versions of the WordPress plugin permit authenticated users to trigger the safe mode feature, which can be abused to deactivate all security plugins on the website.

The Impact of CVE-2020-20634

Exploiting this vulnerability could result in a significant security risk by disabling critical security measures on the WordPress blog.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-20634

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

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows authenticated users to activate the safe mode feature, leading to the potential deactivation of all security plugins on the WordPress site.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Elementor WordPress plugin
Versions affected: 2.9.5 and below

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by authenticated users to disable security plugins, compromising the security of the WordPress blog.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-20634 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Elementor plugin to the latest version that addresses the vulnerability.
Monitor security plugins for any unexpected deactivation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all WordPress plugins and themes to prevent vulnerabilities.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms to restrict access to critical features.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2020-20634.