CVE-2017-18523 : Security Advisory and Response

A Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the eelv-newsletter plugin for WordPress versions prior to 4.6.1.

Understanding CVE-2017-18523

This CVE identifies a CSRF vulnerability in the address book feature of the eelv-newsletter plugin for WordPress versions before 4.6.1.

What is CVE-2017-18523?

The eelv-newsletter plugin for WordPress versions prior to 4.6.1 is susceptible to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks in its address book feature.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18523

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of a user, potentially leading to data theft or manipulation.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18523

The technical aspects of this CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

The eelv-newsletter plugin before version 4.6.1 for WordPress contains a CSRF vulnerability specifically in the address book functionality.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: eelv-newsletter plugin
Affected Versions: Prior to 4.6.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by tricking authenticated users into visiting a malicious website that performs unauthorized actions on the eelv-newsletter plugin.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-18523, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the eelv-newsletter plugin to version 4.6.1 or newer.
Implement CSRF protection mechanisms in your WordPress environment.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit plugins for security vulnerabilities.
Educate users about the risks of CSRF attacks and how to identify suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

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