CVE-2020-24316 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

WordPress Plugin Rednumber Admin Menu v1.1 and lower is vulnerable to reflected XSS due to unsanitized input.

Understanding CVE-2020-24316

This CVE identifies a security issue in the Rednumber Admin Menu plugin for WordPress versions 1.1 and below.

What is CVE-2020-24316?

The vulnerability arises from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input, specifically the "role" GET parameter, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts through crafted URLs.

The Impact of CVE-2020-24316

Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and potential compromise of the affected WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-24316

The following details provide a deeper insight into the technical aspects of this CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The Rednumber Admin Menu plugin v1.1 and earlier versions do not adequately filter the "role" GET parameter, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

WordPress Plugin Rednumber Admin Menu v1.1 and lower

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting URLs with specially designed payloads to execute arbitrary scripts on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-24316 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or remove the Rednumber Admin Menu plugin if not essential
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks
Regularly monitor and audit web application logs for suspicious activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Stay informed about security updates and patches for WordPress plugins
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities

Patching and Updates

Update the Rednumber Admin Menu plugin to the latest secure version
Apply security best practices and follow WordPress guidelines for plugin development