CVE-2020-36743 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2020-36743 article provides insights into a Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability found in the Product Catalog Simple plugin for WordPress.

Understanding CVE-2020-36743

What is CVE-2020-36743?

The Product Catalog Simple plugin for WordPress is susceptible to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) in versions up to and including 1.5.13. The vulnerability arises from inadequate nonce validation on the implecode_save_products_meta() function, enabling unauthorized attackers to manipulate product meta through forged requests.

The Impact of CVE-2020-36743

Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow unauthenticated malicious actors to modify product metadata by deceiving site administrators into executing actions like clicking on malicious links.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-36743

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Product Catalog Simple plugin for WordPress stems from missing or incorrect nonce validation on the implecode_save_products_meta() function.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: implecode
Product: Product Catalog Simple
Versions Affected: up to and including 1.5.13

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by tricking site administrators into performing actions that trigger the implecode_save_products_meta() function, allowing them to update product meta through forged requests.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Product Catalog Simple plugin to version 1.5.14 or later to mitigate the CSRF vulnerability.
Educate site administrators about the risks of clicking on unverified links to prevent CSRF attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict nonce validation mechanisms in WordPress plugins to prevent CSRF vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update WordPress plugins and themes to the latest versions to address known security issues.