CVE-2020-35773 : Security Advisory and Response

The site-offline plugin before 1.4.4 for WordPress lacks certain wp_create_nonce and wp_verify_nonce calls, aka CSRF.

Understanding CVE-2020-35773

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the site-offline plugin for WordPress that can be exploited through CSRF.

What is CVE-2020-35773?

The vulnerability in the site-offline plugin before version 1.4.4 for WordPress arises from missing wp_create_nonce and wp_verify_nonce calls, allowing for Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2020-35773

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-35773

The technical aspects of the CVE provide insight into the vulnerability's description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The site-offline plugin for WordPress lacks essential wp_create_nonce and wp_verify_nonce calls, making it susceptible to CSRF attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected: site-offline plugin before version 1.4.4 for WordPress

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the missing nonce calls to trick authenticated users into executing unintended actions on the site.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-35773 involves immediate steps and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the site-offline plugin to version 1.4.4 or newer to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unauthorized activities on the site.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement CSRF tokens in web forms to prevent CSRF attacks.
Regularly update plugins and software to address security vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by the plugin developer to ensure the site's security.