CVE-2020-36171 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The Elementor Website Builder plugin before 3.0.14 for WordPress has a vulnerability that allows improper restriction of SVG uploads.

Understanding CVE-2020-36171

This CVE identifies a security issue in the Elementor Website Builder plugin for WordPress.

What is CVE-2020-36171?

The Elementor Website Builder plugin before version 3.0.14 for WordPress lacks proper restrictions on SVG file uploads, potentially leading to security risks.

The Impact of CVE-2020-36171

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to upload malicious SVG files, compromising the security and integrity of the WordPress website.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-36171

The following technical details provide insight into the CVE-2020-36171 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The Elementor Website Builder plugin before 3.0.14 for WordPress does not adequately restrict SVG uploads, opening the door to potential security breaches.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Elementor Website Builder plugin
Vendor: Elementor
Versions affected: All versions before 3.0.14

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by uploading malicious SVG files, which may contain harmful code or scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your system from CVE-2020-36171 with the following mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Elementor Website Builder plugin to version 3.0.14 or newer.
Avoid uploading SVG files from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all plugins and themes on your WordPress site.
Implement security plugins to monitor and block suspicious file uploads.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.