CVE-2020-36759 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability in the Woody code snippets plugin for WordPress, allowing for Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks.

Understanding CVE-2020-36759

The Woody code snippets plugin for WordPress is susceptible to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) in versions up to 2.3.9, enabling unauthenticated attackers to manipulate snippets.

What is CVE-2020-36759?

The vulnerability arises from inadequate nonce validation in the runActions() function, enabling unauthorized activation and deactivation of snippets through forged requests.

The Impact of CVE-2020-36759

The vulnerability allows attackers to perform actions on behalf of site administrators, potentially leading to unauthorized snippet manipulation and other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-36759

The technical details of this CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Woody code snippets plugin for WordPress allows for CSRF attacks due to missing or incorrect nonce validation in the runActions() function.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: webcraftic
Product: Woody code snippets – Insert Header Footer Code, AdSense Ads
Versions Affected: Up to and including 2.3.9

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by tricking site administrators into performing actions, such as clicking on a link, to activate or deactivate snippets through forged requests.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-36759, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Woody code snippets plugin to version 2.3.10 or higher to mitigate the CSRF vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and review plugin updates and security advisories to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate site administrators about the risks of CSRF attacks and the importance of verifying actions before execution.
Implement multi-factor authentication and access controls to prevent unauthorized actions on the website.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly and consistently to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed and mitigated effectively.