New WordPress plugin and theme vulnerabilities were disclosed during the second half of May, so we want to keep you aware. In this post, we cover recent WordPress plugin, theme and core vulnerabilities and what to do if you are running one of the vulnerable plugins or themes on your website.
New WordPress plugin and theme vulnerabilities were disclosed during the second half of April, so we want to keep you aware. In this post, we cover recent WordPress plugin, theme and core vulnerabilities and what to do if you are running one of the vulnerable plugins or themes on your website.
The WordPress Vulnerability Roundup is divided into four different categories:
Each vulnerability will have a threat rating of Low, Medium, High, or Critical.
WordPress Core Vulnerabilities
There have not been any WordPress vulnerabilities disclosed in May 2020.
WordPress Plugin Vulnerabilities
Several new WordPress plugin vulnerabilities have been discovered this month so far. Make sure to follow the suggested action below to update the plugin or completely uninstall it.
1. Site Kit by Google – Critical
Site Kit by Google versions below 1.8.0 have a Privilege Escalation vulnerability that will allow an an attacker to become a Search Console owner.The vulnerability is patched, and you should update to version 1.8.0.
2. Easy Testimonials – Critical
Easy Testimonials versions below 3.6 have an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability.The vulnerability is patched, and you should update to version 3.6.
3. WP Product Review – High
WP Product Review versions below 3.7.6 have an Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability.The vulnerability is patched, and you should update to version 3.7.6.
4. Login/Signup Popup – Critical
Login/Signup Popup versions below 1.5 have an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability.The vulnerability is patched, and you should update to version 1.5.
5. Photo Gallery by 10Web – Critical
Photo Gallery by 10Web versions below 1.5.55 have an Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerability.The vulnerability is patched, and you should update to version 1.5.55.
6. Team Members – Critical
Team Members versions below 5.0.4 have an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability.The vulnerability is patched, and you should update to version 5.0.4.
7. Visual Composer Website Builder – High
Visual Composer Website Builder versions below 27.0 have multiple Authenticated Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities.The vulnerability is patched, and you should update to version 27.0.
8. WordPress Infinite Scroll – Critical
WordPress Infinite Scroll versions below 5.3.2 have an Authenticated SQL Injection vulnerability.The vulnerability is patched, and you should update to version 5.3.2.
9. WP Frontend Profile – Low
WP Frontend Profile versions below 1.2.2 have a Cross Site Request Forgery vulnerability.The vulnerability is patched, and you should update to version 1.2.2.
10. Paid Memberships Pro – Medium
Paid Memberships Pro versions below 2.3.3 have an Authenticated SQL Injection vulnerability.The vulnerability is patched, and you should update to version 2.3.3.
11. ThirstyAffiliates Affiliate Link Manager – Medium
ThirstyAffiliates Affiliate Link Manager versions below 3.9.3 have an Authenticated Stored Criss-Site Scripting vulnerability.The vulnerability is patched, and you should update to version 3.9.3.
12. Official MailerLite Sign Up Forms – Critical
All versions of Official MailerLite Sign Up Forms have Multiple CSRF vulnerabilities.Remove the plugin. It is closed on WordPress.org pending review.
13. Add-on SweetAlert Contact Form 7 – Low
Add-on SweetAlert Contact Form 7 versions below 1.0.8 have an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability.The vulnerability is patched, and you should update to version 1.0.8.
14. Form Maker by 10Web – High
All versions of Form Maker by 10Web an Authenticated SQL Injection vulnerability.Remove the plugin. It is closed on WordPress.org pending review.
WordPress Themes
There have been no disclosed WordPress Theme vulnerabilities in the second half of may.
How to Be Proactive About WordPress Theme & Plugin Vulnerabilities
Running outdated software is the number one reason WordPress sites are hacked. It is crucial to the security of your WordPress site that you have an update routine. You should be logging into your sites at least once a week to perform updates.
Automatic Updates Can Help
Automatic updates are a great choice for WordPress websites that don’t change very often. Lack of attention often leaves these sites neglected and vulnerable to attacks. Even with recommended security settings, running vulnerable software on your site can give an attacker an entry point into your site.
Using the iThemes Security Pro plugin’s Version Management feature, you can enable automatic WordPress updates to ensure you are getting the latest security patches. These settings help protect your site with options to automatically update to new versions or to increase user security when the site’s software is outdated.
Version Management Update Options
- WordPress Updates –Automatically install the latest WordPress release.
- Plugin Automatic Updates – Automatically install the latest plugin updates. This should be enabled unless you actively maintain this site on a daily basis and install the updates manually shortly after they are released.
- Theme Automatic Updates – Automatically install the latest theme updates. This should be enabled unless your theme has file customizations.
- Granular Control over Plugin and Theme updates – You may have plugins/themes that you’d like to either manually update, or delay the update until the release has had time to prove stable. You can choose Custom for the opportunity to assign each plugin or theme to either update immediately (Enable), not update automatically at all (Disable) or update with a delay of a specified amount of days (Delay).
Strengthening and Alerting to Critical Issues
- Strengthen Site When Running Outdated Software – Automatically add extra protections to the site when an available update has not been installed for a month. The iThemes Security plugin will automatically enable stricter security when an update has not been installed for a month. First, it will force all users that do not have two-factor enabled to provide a login code sent to their email address before logging back in. Second, it will disable the WP File Editor (to block people from editing plugin or theme code), XML-RPC pingbacks, and block multiple authentication attempts per XML-RPC request (both of which will make XML-RPC stronger against attacks without having to turn it off completely).
- Scan for Other Old WordPress Sites – This will checks for other outdated WordPress installs on your hosting account. A single outdated WordPress site with a vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise all the other sites on the same hosting account.
- Send Email Notifications – For issues that require intervention, an email is sent to admin-level users.
Managing Multiple WP Sites? Update Plugins, Themes & Core At Once from the iThemes Sync Dashboard
iThemes Sync is our central dashboard to help you manage multiple WordPress sites. From the Sync dashboard, you can view available updates for all your sites and then update plugins, themes, and WordPress core with one click. You can also get daily email notifications when a new version update is available.
Try Sync Free for 30 Days
A WordPress Security Plugin Can Help Secure Your Website
iThemes Security Pro, our WordPress security plugin, offers 30+ ways to secure and protect your website from common WordPress security vulnerabilities. With WordPress, two-factor authentication, brute force protection, strong password enforcement, and more, you can add an extra layer of security to your website.Learn more about WordPress security with 10 key tips. Download the ebook now: A Guide to WordPress SecurityDownload now