WordPress sites at risk due to WPML leak

WordPress is the most widely used content management system worldwide, with over 478 million of all websites are built on this platformaccording to the developers. However, this widespread popularity also makes WordPress a prime target for malicious actors. Therefore, cybersecurity researchers are closely examining WordPress, regularly identifying and reporting various security issues within the content management system (CMS).

Shopify and Wix, WordPress’ biggest competitors, lag far behind with market shares of 6.4% and 4% respectively, highlighting WordPress’ dominant position. It’s also worth noting that 30.6% of websites operate without a recognized CMS, reflecting the diversity of web development methodologies.

However, among sites that do use a CMS, WordPress’ dominance is undeniable. Its continued innovation and adaptability to the changing demands of the web have firmly established its leading position in the CMS market.

That’s why WordPress is often seen as a site with a lot of security issues. This increased scrutiny is beneficial: it means that most vulnerabilities and their solutions are well understood, which simplifies the process of securing your WordPress site. In this blog, we’ll discuss the WPML vulnerability and also explore methods to keep your WordPress site secure.

WPML Plugin Vulnerability Summary (CVE-2024-6386)

A critical vulnerability (CVE-2024-6386) was discovered in the WPML WordPress multilingual plugin, affecting versions prior to 4.6. 13. The flaw, which scored a 9.9 on the CVSS scale, allows authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher to remotely execute arbitrary code via server-side template injection (SSTI). The vulnerability is caused by improper input validation within the plugin’s use of Twig templates for rendering shortcodes. With over a million installations, this flaw is critical, so administrators should update to the latest version immediately to prevent exploitation. The WPML team has now released a patch (version 4.6. 13) to address the issue, and urges all users to apply the update without delay to secure their sites.

Simply put, attackers can inject malicious code into what appears to be harmless content, such as a shortcode. When the plugin processes this code, it is executed on the server, giving the attacker unauthorized access and control. This could allow them to steal sensitive data, install malware, redirect website traffic, or even deface the website entirely.

Impact of the vulnerability

The vulnerability is related to the plugin’s handling of shortcodes, which are used to embed content such as media files into posts. WPML relies on Twig templates to render these shortcodes, but it fails to properly sanitize user input, allowing authenticated users to exploit this via Server-side template injection (SSTI)This bug, caused by insufficient input sanitization and template vulnerabilities, provides a path for code execution on affected servers.

Vulnerability Response Plan

Below is the response plan for this vulnerability:

Identify the affected versions

Check if your website is using a version of the WPML multilingual WordPress plugin lower than 4.6. 13. These versions are vulnerable to the CVE-2024-6386 vulnerability.

Update the plugin

Please update the WPML plugin to the latest version (4.6. 13 or later) immediately. This version contains patches that address the vulnerability by improving input validation and sanitization, reducing the risk of server-side template injection (SSTI).

Restrict access

Limit the number of users with Contributor-level access or higher until the update is applied. Because the vulnerability requires authenticated access at this level to be exploited, reducing the number of users with these privileges reduces the risk of an attack.

Implement security monitoring

Implement or improve monitoring tools to detect suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts. Focus on monitoring the usage of shortcodes and template rendering processes, as these are the main areas where this vulnerability is exploited.

Apply Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules

Configure your web application firewall (WAF) to block or detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability. This can provide an additional layer of protection by filtering out potentially malicious requests.

How can I fix the vulnerability?

The WPML team quickly addressed the disclosed vulnerability by releasing a patched version (WPML 4.6. 13) on August 20, 2024. It is essential that all WordPress website owners using the WPML plugin update to this latest version without delay. Failure to apply the patch promptly could leave websites exposed to potential exploits.

To update the WPML plugin, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
3. Find the WPML plugin and click “Update” if a newer version is available.
4. After the update is complete, click “Activate” to ensure the latest patched version is used.

Methods to Keep Your WordPress Site Secure

Below are the steps to keep WordPress site secure:

• To improve WordPress security, you should regularly update the core, themes, and plugins and remove unnecessary plugins as soon as possible.

• Improve WordPress security by enforcing strong password policies, limiting login attempts, enabling two-factor authentication, and recommending the use of a password manager.

• Improve WordPress security by implementing least privileges, monitoring and removing unnecessary accounts, and enforcing strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

• To improve WordPress security, use only essential plugins. Check them before installing, remove unused plugins, use malware scanners carefully, and consult professionals if you suspect malware on your site.

• To improve security, disable XML-RPC on your WordPress site if you don’t plan on using it anytime soon; it can easily be re-enabled if needed. If you require XML-RPC, configure restrictions using WordPress plugins.

Conclusion

The WPML vulnerability, CVE-2024-6386, underscores the continued importance of keeping WordPress sites and plugins up to date. By promptly updating to the latest version of WPML, website owners can effectively mitigate the risk of exploitation and protect their sites from potential harm. Beyond this specific vulnerability, it is essential to take a comprehensive security approach, including regular updates, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and diligent plugin management. WordPress website owners can protect their digital assets by prioritizing cybersecurity and ensuring a safe online presence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference link: https://thehackernews.com/2024/08/critical-wpml-plugin-flaw-exposes.html

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