LightStart Vulnerability – Maintenance Mode, Coming Soon and Landing Page Builder – Missing Authorization – CVE-2023-7019| WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

Q: What is the LightStart plugin vulnerable to?

What is the LightStart plugin vulnerable to? This vulnerability specifically enables some authenticated users to make unauthorized modifications to the appearance of page layouts and designs. It arises from inadequate access controls allowing those users to inject CSS changes, images, text links or other content without permission that site owners normally have to approve.

Q: Does this affect LightStart's maintenance mode features?

Does this affect LightStart's maintenance mode features? It does not directly impact the core maintenance mode functionality that temporarily disables site access. However, an attacker could potentially leverage unauthorized content changes to impact the visitor messages displayed in maintenance mode. So the vulnerability indirectly relates to overall plugin capabilities.

Q: What level of risk does this pose for my site?

What level of risk does this pose for my site? The level of real risk depends on your user role structure before updating. Sites granting contributor, author or editor access to multiple accounts could enable more impactful exploitation. Those limiting users face lower potential for abuse. But ultimately keeping software updated remains critical regardless.

Q: What alternative similar plugins could I consider?

What alternative similar plugins could I consider? Some alternatives to LightStart with comparable maintenance mode, coming soon and landing page creation include SeedProd, UnderConstruction, and Coming Soon by MailOptin. Check reviews and support levels before switching temporarily to gauge the best option for your site.

Q: How can I check if my site was compromised?

How can I check if my site was compromised? Carefully review all page content manually after updating for anything suspicious like unknown inserted text or images. For the best before/after contrast, use either the native WordPress post revisions or VersionPress plugin to view archives and pinpoint unauthorized changes if they exist.

Q: Should I completely uninstall LightStart until things settle?

Should I completely uninstall LightStart until things settle? Fully removing features visitors or customers may rely on could be premature given the limited nature of this vulnerability. Updating immediately likely secures your instance. But temporarily disabling specific at-risk templates as a precaution while assessing impact may be wise.

Q: Why do plugins have so many vulnerabilities?

Why do plugins have so many vulnerabilities? The open source community model enabling WordPress plugins both fosters faster innovation yet can lack centralized vetting, testing and auditing. Code transparency leads to quicker discoveries yet also introduces risk if contributors have varied skills and insufficient review occurs. Proper process helps minimize flaws.

Q: What proactive steps can I take to stay secure?

What proactive steps can I take to stay secure? Consider managed WordPress hosting companies that handle auto-updates for you rather than manually maintaining plugins. Minimize plugins only to those reputation-vetted essentials. Perform regular malware scans using tools like Wordfence. And enable site-wide two-factor authentication for all user accounts to mitigate exploitation impacts.

Q: What resources offer WordPress security guidance?

What resources offer WordPress security guidance? The Codex maintains exceptional hardening guides covering permissions, keys, file hardening, disallowing bad bots, and extensive plugin advice. WordPress.org's general security FAQ introduces foundational principles as well. Superior third-party learning resources exist through publishers like Apress.

Q: Who can I contact for professional WordPress security services?

Who can I contact for professional WordPress security services? My digital agency offers affordable website security packages including setup help, file and traffic audits, cleaning detected infections, extensive WordPress hardening, and tailored recommendations to suit small business budgets. Schedule a free consultation anytime to discuss protecting your online presence!

By Your WP Guy | January 5, 2024

Plugin Name: LightStart – Maintenance Mode, Coming Soon and Landing Page Builder

Key Information:

Software Type: Plugin
Software Slug: wp-maintenance-mode
Software Status: Active
Software Author: themeisle
Software Downloads: 15,432,322
Active Installs: 700,000
Last Updated: January 5th, 2024
Patched Versions: 2.6.9
Affected Versions: <= 2.6.8

Vulnerability Details:

Name: LightStart – Maintenance Mode, Coming Soon and Landing Page Builder <= 2.6.8
Title: Missing Authorization
Type: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
CVE: CVE-2023-7019
CVSS Score: 4.3
Publicly Published: January 5, 2024
Researcher: Lucio Sà
Description: The LightStart – Maintenance Mode, Coming Soon and Landing Page Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the insert_template function in all versions up to, and including, 2.6.8. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to change page designs.

Summary:

The LightStart – Maintenance Mode, Coming Soon and Landing Page Builder for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 2.6.8 that allows authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access and above to make unauthorized modifications to data, particularly in changing page designs. This vulnerability has been patched in version 2.6.9.

Detailed Overview:

The vulnerability arises from a missing capability check on the insert_template function. Authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, can exploit this weakness, leading to unauthorized modifications in page designs. The risk involves potential unauthorized alterations to the appearance and content of the website. To address this vulnerability, users are strongly advised to update to version 2.6.9.

Advice for Users:

Immediate Action: Update the LightStart – Maintenance Mode, Coming Soon and Landing Page Builder plugin to version 2.6.9 or later.
Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Review your page designs and website content for any unauthorized modifications.
Alternate Plugins: Consider using alternative plugins that offer similar functionality as a precaution.
Stay Updated: Regularly update your WordPress plugins to the latest versions to avoid vulnerabilities.

Conclusion:

The swift response from the LightStart – Maintenance Mode, Coming Soon and Landing Page Builder developers to patch this vulnerability highlights the critical importance of timely updates. Users are advised to ensure that they are running version 2.6.9 or later to secure their WordPress installations.

References:

Simplifying Website Security for Busy Owners

As a busy website owner without ample spare time, keeping your site secure amid constant threats can feel impossible. But vulnerabilities like the one recently patched in the popular LightStart plugin only reinforce why vigilance matters. In this post I’ll simplify security for you by clearly outlining the vulnerability, your risks, and quick actions you can take to lock things down.

Understanding the LightStart Vulnerability

LightStart – Maintenance Mode, Coming Soon and Landing Page Builder helps over 700,000 WordPress users manage maintenance mode, coming soon, and landing pages. This week a security researcher disclosed a vulnerability in versions up to 2.6.8 enabling some authenticated users to alter page designs without permission.

Specifically, the bug stems from a capability check missing in the insert_template function. Subscriber-level users and above could exploit this to modify content appearance and layout with rights exceeding their roles. Depending on your site, this could allow publishing unwanted imagery or text.

The developers have now released version 2.6.9 to fix the vulnerability, scoring a moderate 4.3 CVSS severity rating due to limiting unauthorized changes. Still, LightStart users face unnecessary risk until updating.

Assessing Your Risk

While branded moderately severe rather than critical, the vulnerability still poses unnecessary website exposure. Attackers could add unwanted text links, images, CSS edits, and other changes to your page designs without authorization.

The real-world risk depends on your user permissions structure before patching. Sites granting contributor access and above to multiple accounts face higher potential impact than those with stricter role limitations. Either way, a fix exists and sites should implement it.

Updating to Eliminate the Vulnerability

If LightStart is active on your WordPress site, you should:

Immediately update to v2.6.9, which repairs the specific vulnerability.
Thoroughly check all page content for anything out of place or unintended.
Consider a temporary plugin alternative until assessing long-term security impacts.
Audit user roles and limit permissions to only those required for site functionality.

Staying Secure Long-Term

LightStart has faced over 5 previous vulnerabilities since 2013, indicating systemic issues to monitor. From arbitrary file deletion to stored XSS and beyond, threats exist without proper updating.

As tempting as neglecting security feels for overloaded owners, a well-hardened site takes little effort:

Enable automatic background updates for all plugins to remove the manual chore.
Minimize plugins and themes to only those reputable options essential for your needs.
Leverage managed WordPress hosts handling technical tasks like updates for you

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.

Get in touch for a free consultation today on making WordPress security stress-free. Call 678-995-5169 or book a call here. Our knowledgeable team is ready to help you safeguard your online presence.

LightStart – Maintenance Mode, Coming Soon and Landing Page Builder - Missing Authorization - CVE-2023-7019 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report FAQs

What is the LightStart plugin vulnerable to?

Does this affect LightStart's maintenance mode features?

What level of risk does this pose for my site?

What alternative similar plugins could I consider?

How can I check if my site was compromised?

Should I completely uninstall LightStart until things settle?

Why do plugins have so many vulnerabilities?

What proactive steps can I take to stay secure?

Consider managed WordPress hosting companies that handle auto-updates for you rather than manually maintaining plugins. Minimize plugins only to those reputation-vetted essentials. Perform regular malware scans using tools like Wordfence. And enable site-wide two-factor authentication for all user accounts to mitigate exploitation impacts.

What resources offer WordPress security guidance?

Who can I contact for professional WordPress security services?

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Posted in Security, Vulnerabilities and tagged coming soon, CVE-2023-7019, landing page builder, LightStart, maintenance mode, Plugin Updates, Plugin Vulnerability, securing wordpress, Website Security, WordPress, wordpress plugins, wordpress security