Minimal Coming Soon – Coming Soon Page Vulnerability – Missing Authorization to Limited Settings Change – CVE-2024-5087 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

Q: What is CVE-2024-5087, and why is it important for my website?

What is CVE-2024-5087, and why is it important for my website? CVE-2024-5087 refers to a vulnerability in the Minimal Coming Soon – Coming Soon Page plugin, allowing unauthorized users with Subscriber-level access or higher to modify critical settings like the license key. This could potentially disable plugin functionalities, impacting your website's operation and security.

Q: How can I check if my website is affected by CVE-2024-5087?

How can I check if my website is affected by CVE-2024-5087? To check for potential exploitation, monitor the plugin's settings for any unauthorized changes, particularly related to the license key and plugin functionalities. Look for unexpected behaviors that could indicate a breach.

Q: What are the risks of not updating the Minimal Coming Soon plugin to version 2.39 or later?

What are the risks of not updating the Minimal Coming Soon plugin to version 2.39 or later? Failing to update exposes your website to potential unauthorized modifications by attackers. This could lead to disruptions in your site's functionality or even compromise sensitive information stored within the plugin.

Q: What immediate actions should I take if my website is using an affected version of the Minimal Coming Soon plugin?

What immediate actions should I take if my website is using an affected version of the Minimal Coming Soon plugin? Immediately update the plugin to version 2.39 or later to mitigate the vulnerability. Monitor your website closely for any signs of unusual activity, especially related to plugin settings and functionalities.

Q: Are there alternative plugins I can use until I update the Minimal Coming Soon plugin?

Are there alternative plugins I can use until I update the Minimal Coming Soon plugin? Consider temporarily deactivating the Minimal Coming Soon plugin until you can apply the update. Alternatively, explore other WordPress plugins that offer similar functionality and are currently secure.

Q: Why is it essential to stay updated with the latest versions of WordPress plugins?

Why is it essential to stay updated with the latest versions of WordPress plugins? Regularly updating plugins ensures you receive patches for vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-5087 promptly. This practice helps maintain the overall security and stability of your WordPress website.

Q: How often should I check for updates to my WordPress plugins?

How often should I check for updates to my WordPress plugins? Check for updates regularly, ideally weekly or whenever new updates are released by plugin developers. Set up notifications within your WordPress dashboard to stay informed about new releases.

Q: What should I do if I'm unable to update the Minimal Coming Soon plugin immediately?

What should I do if I'm unable to update the Minimal Coming Soon plugin immediately? If immediate updating is not possible, take proactive measures such as temporarily disabling the plugin until you can apply the patch. This helps mitigate the risk of exploitation until a permanent fix is implemented.

Q: How can I ensure my WordPress website remains secure against future vulnerabilities?

How can I ensure my WordPress website remains secure against future vulnerabilities? Besides updating plugins promptly, implement robust security measures such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly auditing user permissions to minimize potential risks.

Q: Where can I find more information about WordPress plugin vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-5087?

Where can I find more information about WordPress plugin vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-5087? Stay informed by monitoring security advisories from reputable sources such as Wordfence and official WordPress security channels. These resources provide updates on vulnerabilities, patches, and best practices for maintaining WordPress security.

By Your WP Guy | June 7, 2024

Plugin Name: Minimal Coming Soon – Coming Soon Page

Key Information:

Software Type: Plugin
Software Slug: minimal-coming-soon-maintenance-mode
Software Status: Active
Software Author: webfactory
Software Downloads: 2,009,191
Active Installs: 100,000
Last Updated: June 19, 2024
Patched Versions: 2.39
Affected Versions: <= 2.38

Vulnerability Details:

Name: Minimal Coming Soon – Coming Soon Page <= 2.38
Title: Missing Authorization to Limited Settings Change
Type: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
CVE: CVE-2024-5087
CVSS Score: 6.3
Publicly Published: June 7, 2024
Researcher: Foxyyy
Description: The Minimal Coming Soon – Coming Soon Page plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the validate_ajax, deactivate_ajax, and save_ajax functions in all versions up to, and including, 2.38. This allows authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to edit the license key, potentially disabling plugin features.

Summary:

The Minimal Coming Soon – Coming Soon Page plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 2.38 that allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access and above to modify the plugin's settings, including the license key. This vulnerability has been patched in version 2.39.

Detailed Overview:

The vulnerability arises from the plugin's failure to enforce proper authorization checks on critical AJAX functions. Specifically, the validate_ajax, deactivate_ajax, and save_ajax functions lack adequate capability verification, enabling unauthorized users to manipulate sensitive settings such as the license key. Exploitation of this flaw could result in the disabling of essential plugin functionalities, affecting the operational integrity of WordPress sites.

Advice for Users:

Immediate Action: Users are strongly advised to update the

Minimal Coming Soon – Coming Soon Page plugin to version 2.39 or later immediately to mitigate the risk of unauthorized settings modification.

Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Monitor plugin settings and functionality for any unexpected changes, especially related to the license key and plugin features.

Alternate Plugins: Consider temporarily deactivating the plugin until the update is applied or exploring alternative plugins that offer similar functionality.

Stay Updated: Regularly update all WordPress plugins to their latest versions to prevent vulnerabilities and maintain site security.

Conclusion:

The prompt response from the Minimal Coming Soon – Coming Soon Page plugin developers in releasing version 2.39 underscores the critical importance of timely updates in maintaining WordPress site security. Users are urged to ensure they are running version 2.39 or higher to safeguard their WordPress installations against potential exploits.

References:

Wordfence Advisory

Detailed Report:

In today’s digital landscape, maintaining the security of your website is non-negotiable. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the importance of keeping your software up to date cannot be overstated. Recently, a critical vulnerability has surfaced in the Minimal Coming Soon – Coming Soon Page plugin for WordPress, underscoring the urgent need for proactive security measures.

Summary:

The Minimal Coming Soon – Coming Soon Page plugin for WordPress is vulnerable in versions up to and including 2.38, where unauthorized users can exploit insecure AJAX functions to alter critical settings. This flaw has been remediated in version 2.39.

Detailed Overview:

The vulnerability exposes a flaw in the plugin’s authorization mechanisms, specifically in its handling of AJAX requests. By exploiting this weakness, attackers can tamper with essential plugin configurations, such as altering the license key or disabling critical features. Such unauthorized modifications can disrupt site functionality or compromise sensitive information stored within the plugin’s settings.

Stay Updated:

Maintaining the security of your WordPress site requires proactive vigilance. Ensure all plugins, themes, and the core installation are regularly updated to mitigate potential vulnerabilities and safeguard your website against cyber threats.

Conclusion:

The proactive release of version 2.39 by the developers of Minimal Coming Soon – Coming Soon Page demonstrates their commitment to addressing security vulnerabilities promptly. For small business owners and website administrators, staying informed about vulnerabilities and promptly applying updates is crucial to maintaining the integrity and security of their WordPress sites.

Previous vulnerabilities:

Since December 18, 2019, there have been 6 prior vulnerabilities identified in the plugin, highlighting the ongoing need for proactive security measures and diligent maintenance of WordPress installations.

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.