CVE-2020-26876 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The wp-courses plugin for WordPress version 2.0.27 allows remote attackers to bypass payment steps using the /wp-json REST API, potentially exposing private course videos and materials.

Understanding CVE-2020-26876

This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in the wp-courses plugin for WordPress that could be exploited by attackers to skip payment steps and access course content without authorization.

What is CVE-2020-26876?

The wp-courses plugin, up to version 2.0.27, is vulnerable to a security issue that enables malicious actors to bypass the intended payment process for course videos and materials by leveraging the /wp-json REST API. This vulnerability was observed being actively exploited in the wild in September 2020.

The Impact of CVE-2020-26876

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to private course content, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the materials.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-26876

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

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to the enabling of show_in_rest for custom post types (/wp-json/wp/v2/course and /wp-json/wp/v2/lesson), allowing attackers to bypass payment steps.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: wp-courses plugin
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: Up to 2.0.27

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by utilizing the /wp-json REST API to skip the payment step and gain unauthorized access to course videos and materials.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-26876 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the wp-courses plugin if not essential for operations.
Monitor for any unauthorized access to course content.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and themes to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement access controls and authentication mechanisms to restrict unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Check for plugin updates and apply patches provided by the plugin developer to address the vulnerability.