CVE-2020-36709 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

The Page Builder: KingComposer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in versions before 2.9.4.

Understanding CVE-2020-36709

The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages, executing whenever a user accesses an injected page.

What is CVE-2020-36709?

The Page Builder: KingComposer plugin for WordPress is susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting through shortcode manipulation in versions prior to 2.9.4.

The Impact of CVE-2020-36709

This vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to insert malicious scripts into pages, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-36709

The following technical details outline the specifics of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

Type: Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Cause: Insufficient input sanitization and output escaping

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: kingthemes
Product: Page Builder: KingComposer
Versions Affected: < 2.9.4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts via manipulated shortcodes, impacting user interactions with the injected pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-36709 with the following steps.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Page Builder: KingComposer plugin to version 2.9.4 or higher.
Monitor for any suspicious activities on affected pages.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and update plugins to prevent vulnerabilities.
Educate users on identifying and reporting suspicious activities on WordPress sites.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.