CVE-2020-6850 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in the miniorange-saml-20-single-sign-on plugin for WordPress allows for XSS attacks via crafted SAML XML responses.

Understanding CVE-2020-6850

This CVE involves a security issue in the miniorange-saml-20-single-sign-on plugin for WordPress that enables cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

What is CVE-2020-6850?

The vulnerability in Utilities.php in the plugin before version 4.8.84 allows for XSS through a manipulated SAML XML Response to wp-login.php. The attack vectors are the SAMLResponse and RelayState variables, along with the Destination parameter of the samlp:Response XML element.

The Impact of CVE-2020-6850

The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-6850

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the miniorange-saml-20-single-sign-on plugin allows for XSS attacks by manipulating specific parameters in the SAML XML Response.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Plugin versions before 4.8.84

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted SAML XML Response to the wp-login.php endpoint, manipulating specific parameters to execute malicious scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-6850 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the miniorange-saml-20-single-sign-on plugin to version 4.8.84 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and filter input data to prevent malicious SAML XML Responses.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and update plugins and software to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Educate users and administrators about the risks of XSS attacks and best practices for secure coding.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from plugin developers to apply patches promptly.