CVE-2020-35942 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue in the NextGEN Gallery plugin before 3.5.0 for WordPress allows File Upload and Local File Inclusion via settings modification, leading to Remote Code Execution and XSS. Learn more about this vulnerability and how to mitigate it.

Understanding CVE-2020-35942

This CVE involves a critical security issue in the NextGEN Gallery plugin for WordPress, potentially exposing over 800,000 websites to severe risks.

What is CVE-2020-35942?

The vulnerability in the NextGEN Gallery plugin allows attackers to perform File Upload and Local File Inclusion through settings manipulation, enabling them to execute remote code and launch cross-site scripting attacks. The CSRF protection can be bypassed by omitting a nonce parameter.

The Impact of CVE-2020-35942

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to severe consequences, including unauthorized remote code execution, data theft, and website defacement. Attackers can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of affected websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-35942

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

Vulnerability Description

The CSRF flaw in the NextGEN Gallery plugin allows malicious actors to upload files and include local files by manipulating settings, leading to the execution of arbitrary remote code and XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: NextGEN Gallery plugin
Vendor: NextGEN
Versions affected: Before 3.5.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by manipulating plugin settings to upload malicious files and include local files, bypassing CSRF protection by omitting the nonce parameter.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems and websites from CVE-2020-35942 with these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the NextGEN Gallery plugin to version 3.5.0 or later to patch the vulnerability.
Implement strict access controls and validation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized file uploads.
Regularly monitor and audit file uploads and system logs for suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.
Educate users and administrators about secure coding practices and the risks associated with file uploads.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by NextGEN for the Gallery plugin.
Promptly apply patches and updates to ensure your systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.