Email Encoder Vulnerability– Protect Email Addresses and Phone Numbers – Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Shortcode – CVE-2024-1282 |WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

Plugin Name: Email Encoder – Protect Email Addresses and Phone Numbers

Key Information:

  • Software Type: Plugin
  • Software Slug: email-encoder-bundle
  • Software Status: Active
  • Software Author: ironikus
  • Software Downloads: 1,058,847
  • Active Installs: 80,000
  • Last Updated: February 27, 2024
  • Patched Versions: 2.2.1
  • Affected Versions: <= 2.2.0

Vulnerability Details:

  • Name: Email Encoder – Protect Email Addresses and Phone Numbers <= 2.2.0
  • Title: Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Shortcode
  • Type: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
  • CVE: CVE-2024-1282
  • CVSS Score: 6.4
  • Publicly Published: February 13, 2024
  • Researcher: Richard Telleng (stueotue)
  • Description: The plugin is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via shortcode(s) due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping of user-supplied attributes. Authenticated users with contributor-level permissions or higher can inject arbitrary web scripts in pages, leading to script execution when other users access the injected page.

Summary:

The Email Encoder – Protect Email Addresses and Phone Numbers plugin for WordPress exhibits a vulnerability in versions up to and including 2.2.0, where authenticated users with contributor-level or higher permissions can exploit insufficient input sanitization and output escaping to inject arbitrary web scripts. This issue has been resolved in version 2.2.1.

Detailed Overview:

This vulnerability, identified by researcher Richard Telleng, stems from the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes, allowing for the injection of malicious scripts. These scripts can be executed by unsuspecting users visiting the affected pages, potentially leading to unauthorized access or other security breaches. The CVSS score of 6.4 reflects a significant risk, emphasizing the need for immediate remediation.

Advice for Users:

  • Immediate Action: Users should update to the patched version 2.2.1 immediately to mitigate the risk.
  • Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Review your pages for unexpected or malicious content that may have been injected and monitor user roles and permissions closely.
  • Alternate Plugins: While a patch is available, considering alternative plugins that offer similar functionality could be a prudent precautionary measure.
  • Stay Updated: Regularly update all plugins to their latest versions to protect against vulnerabilities.

Conclusion:

The swift action by the developers to release a patch for this vulnerability underscores the critical nature of maintaining up-to-date installations. Users of the Email Encoder plugin should ensure they have updated to version 2.2.1 or later to safeguard their WordPress sites against this security threat.

References:

In today's digital landscape, maintaining the security of your WordPress website is not just a best practice; it's a necessity. The recent discovery of a significant vulnerability within the "Email Encoder – Protect Email Addresses and Phone Numbers" plugin, identified as CVE-2024-1282, serves as a critical reminder of the ever-present risks in the digital realm. This plugin, designed to safeguard email addresses and phone numbers from spam bots, is a tool relied upon by over 80,000 websites, highlighting the widespread impact of such vulnerabilities.

Plugin Overview:

"Email Encoder – Protect Email Addresses and Phone Numbers" is a WordPress plugin developed by ironikus, with more than a million downloads to date. Its primary function is to encode contact information to protect it from automated spam. The plugin, last updated on February 27, 2024, reached version 2.2.1, which addressed the vulnerability present in all previous versions up to 2.2.0.

Vulnerability Details:

The vulnerability, categorized under Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Shortcode, was publicized on February 13, 2024, by researcher Richard Telleng. Due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping, authenticated users with contributor-level permissions or higher could inject malicious scripts into web pages via the plugin's shortcodes. These scripts could then be executed by any user visiting the compromised page, leading to potential unauthorized access and other security threats. The CVSS score of 6.4 indicates a significant risk that necessitates immediate attention.

Risks and Potential Impacts:

The primary risk posed by this vulnerability is the unauthorized execution of web scripts, which can lead to data breaches, website defacement, and the compromise of sensitive information. For small business owners, such breaches can damage customer trust and potentially lead to significant financial and reputational harm.

Remediation:

The immediate step for users of the plugin is to update to the patched version 2.2.1, which eliminates the vulnerability. Additionally, website administrators should review their pages for any unusual or malicious content that might have been injected and closely monitor user roles and permissions to prevent future exploits.

Previous Vulnerabilities:

This is not the first time vulnerabilities have been identified in this plugin; since August 10, 2015, there have been five previous instances. This history underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and updating of all website components to safeguard against emerging threats.

Conclusion:

The swift resolution of this vulnerability by the plugin developers with the release of a patched version highlights the dynamic nature of website security. For small business owners, the incident underscores the critical need for regular updates and active security measures. Staying abreast of vulnerabilities and ensuring that all components of your WordPress site are up-to-date is crucial in protecting your digital assets and maintaining the trust of your customers. In the fast-paced digital world, where time is a scarce commodity, considering professional support for website maintenance and security can be a wise investment to ensure peace of mind and continued business success.

Staying Secure

Staying on top of WordPress security can feel overwhelming for small business owners without dedicated IT staff. At Your WP Guy, we exist to shoulder that burden for you. Our WordPress experts can fully audit, secure, maintain and support your site - so you can focus on growing your business with peace of mind.

Don't tackle security risks alone. Let us help you assess any impact from this vulnerability, update your plugins, and implement ongoing maintenance to avoid future threats. We treat your website like it's our own - because we know how critical it is for reaching your customers.

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Email Encoder Vulnerability– Protect Email Addresses and Phone Numbers – Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Shortcode – CVE-2024-1282 |WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report FAQs

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