CVE-2020-36711 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-36711 affecting the Avada WordPress theme. Understand the impact, affected versions, exploitation, and mitigation steps to secure your website.
The Avada theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the update_layout function in versions up to, and including, 6.2.3 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. Contributor-level attackers and above can inject arbitrary web scripts.
Understanding CVE-2020-36711
The Avada theme for WordPress has a vulnerability that allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.
What is CVE-2020-36711?
CVE-2020-36711 is a vulnerability in the Avada theme for WordPress that enables attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts through insufficient input sanitization.
The Impact of CVE-2020-36711
This vulnerability allows contributor-level attackers and above to inject malicious scripts that execute when users access affected pages.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-36711
The Avada theme vulnerability has specific technical aspects that need to be understood.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability lies in the update_layout function of Avada versions up to 6.2.3, where input sanitization and output escaping are inadequate.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Vendor: n/a
- Product: Avada | Website Builder For WordPress & WooCommerce
- Versions Affected: Up to and including 6.2.3
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with contributor-level access or higher can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious web scripts.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-36711 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Avada theme to version 6.2.3 or higher.
- Monitor and restrict contributor-level access.
- Implement web application firewalls to filter and block malicious inputs.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update themes and plugins to patch vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.