CVE-2020-8771 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The Time Capsule plugin before 1.21.16 for WordPress has a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthorized access to administrator accounts.

Understanding CVE-2020-8771

This CVE identifies a security flaw in the Time Capsule plugin for WordPress that enables an attacker to log in as the first administrator account by manipulating requests.

What is CVE-2020-8771?

The Time Capsule plugin before version 1.21.16 for WordPress is susceptible to an authentication bypass. When a request contains IWP_JSON_PREFIX, it grants unauthorized access to the first account on the list of administrator accounts.

The Impact of CVE-2020-8771

This vulnerability poses a severe security risk as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrator accounts, potentially leading to data theft, modification, or other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-8771

The following technical aspects are associated with CVE-2020-8771:

Vulnerability Description

The Time Capsule plugin for WordPress, prior to version 1.21.16, is affected by an authentication bypass vulnerability triggered by the presence of IWP_JSON_PREFIX in requests. This flaw enables unauthorized access to administrator accounts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Time Capsule plugin
Vendor: N/A
Versions Affected: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending a request containing IWP_JSON_PREFIX, which tricks the system into logging in the attacker as the first administrator account.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your system from CVE-2020-8771 with the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Time Capsule plugin to version 1.21.16 or newer to patch the authentication bypass vulnerability.
Monitor administrator account activities for any unauthorized logins.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review plugin security to identify and address vulnerabilities promptly.
Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication for administrator accounts.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for plugins and promptly apply patches to mitigate known vulnerabilities.