CVE-2020-36698 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2020-36698 article provides insights into a vulnerability affecting the Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk plugin for WordPress.

Understanding CVE-2020-36698

The Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk plugin for WordPress is susceptible to unauthorized user interaction due to missing capability checks on several AJAX actions and nonce disclosure.

What is CVE-2020-36698?

The CVE-2020-36698 vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with subscriber-level permissions and above to execute functions and manipulate files within the plugin.

The Impact of CVE-2020-36698

The vulnerability poses a high risk, with a CVSS base score of 8.8 (High severity), potentially leading to unauthorized file uploads or deletions.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-36698

The following technical details shed light on the specifics of CVE-2020-36698:

Vulnerability Description

Missing capability checks on AJAX actions and nonce disclosure in the administrative dashboard

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: cleantalk
Product: Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk
Versions affected: Up to and including 2.50

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers with subscriber-level permissions and above can exploit the vulnerability to execute functions and manipulate files.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems by following these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk plugin to version 2.51 or higher
Monitor user permissions and restrict unnecessary access

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review plugin permissions and capabilities
Educate users on secure practices and permissions management

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates for the plugin