CVE-2020-35943 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2020-35943, a CSRF issue in NextGEN Gallery plugin for WordPress allowing unauthorized file uploads. Find out the impact, affected versions, and mitigation steps.
A Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue in the NextGEN Gallery plugin before 3.5.0 for WordPress allows File Upload. (It is possible to bypass CSRF protection by simply not including a nonce parameter.)
Understanding CVE-2020-35943
This CVE involves a security vulnerability in the NextGEN Gallery plugin for WordPress that could potentially lead to unauthorized file uploads.
What is CVE-2020-35943?
CVE-2020-35943 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue in the NextGEN Gallery plugin before version 3.5.0 for WordPress. This vulnerability allows attackers to perform file uploads without proper CSRF protection.
The Impact of CVE-2020-35943
The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to upload unauthorized files to affected WordPress sites, potentially leading to further security breaches and unauthorized access.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-35943
This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The CSRF issue in the NextGEN Gallery plugin allows attackers to bypass CSRF protection by omitting the nonce parameter, enabling them to upload files without proper authorization.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: NextGEN Gallery plugin
- Versions affected: Before 3.5.0
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious requests to the affected plugin, tricking users into unknowingly uploading files to the WordPress site.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-35943 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update the NextGEN Gallery plugin to version 3.5.0 or newer to patch the vulnerability.
- Implement strict file upload controls and validation mechanisms on the WordPress site.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor and audit file uploads and user activities on the WordPress site.
- Educate users and administrators about the risks of CSRF attacks and the importance of security best practices.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all software components, including plugins and themes, are regularly updated to the latest versions to mitigate known vulnerabilities.