Newsletter Vulnerability – Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting via np1 – CVE-2024-5317 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

Q: What is the Newsletter plugin vulnerability about?

What is the Newsletter plugin vulnerability about? The vulnerability in the Newsletter plugin involves unauthenticated stored cross-site scripting (XSS) via the 'np1' parameter. This means attackers can inject malicious scripts into web pages that will execute when accessed by users.

Q: How does the Newsletter plugin vulnerability impact my WordPress site?

How does the Newsletter plugin vulnerability impact my WordPress site? The vulnerability poses significant risks, including potential data theft, session hijacking, and website defacement. Attackers could exploit this to compromise user privacy and manipulate site content.

Q: Who discovered the Newsletter plugin vulnerability?

Who discovered the Newsletter plugin vulnerability? The vulnerability was discovered by Arkadiusz Hydzik and publicly disclosed on June 4, 2024.

Q: Which versions of the Newsletter plugin are affected by this vulnerability?

Which versions of the Newsletter plugin are affected by this vulnerability? Versions up to and including 8.3.4 of the Newsletter plugin are vulnerable to this unauthenticated XSS attack.

Q: Has the vulnerability been patched?

Has the vulnerability been patched? Yes, the vulnerability has been addressed in version 8.3.5 of the Newsletter plugin. It's crucial to update to this version or later to protect your site.

Q: What immediate action should I take if I use the Newsletter plugin?

What immediate action should I take if I use the Newsletter plugin? Immediately update your Newsletter plugin to version 8.3.5 or newer. This will mitigate the risk of exploitation and ensure your site remains secure.

Q: How can I check if my site has been compromised due to this vulnerability?

How can I check if my site has been compromised due to this vulnerability? Monitor your website logs for any unusual script executions or unexpected behaviors. If you notice any suspicious activity, take immediate action to investigate and secure your site further.

Q: Are there alternative plugins I can use until the Newsletter plugin is updated?

Are there alternative plugins I can use until the Newsletter plugin is updated? Consider using alternative plugins that offer similar functionalities and have a good security track record. This can provide temporary protection until Newsletter is updated and verified secure.

Q: Why is it important to stay updated on WordPress plugin vulnerabilities?

Why is it important to stay updated on WordPress plugin vulnerabilities? Staying updated is crucial to prevent vulnerabilities like the Newsletter plugin XSS issue from being exploited. Timely updates ensure your site remains protected against emerging threats and security risks.

Q: What can I do to ensure my WordPress site's security in the future?

What can I do to ensure my WordPress site's security in the future? Regularly update all WordPress plugins and themes to their latest versions. Implement security best practices such as using strong passwords, limiting user privileges, and monitoring for suspicious activity. These proactive measures help maintain the integrity and security of your WordPress website.

By Your WP Guy | June 4, 2024

Plugin Name: Newsletter – Send awesome emails from WordPress

Key Information:

Software Type: Plugin
Software Slug: newsletter
Software Status: Active
Software Author: satollo
Software Downloads: 25,847,810
Active Installs: 300,000
Last Updated: June 18, 2024
Patched Versions: 8.3.5
Affected Versions: <= 8.3.4

Vulnerability Details:

Name: Newsletter <= 8.3.4
Title: Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting via np1
Type: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
CVE: CVE-2024-5317
CVSS Score: 6.4
Publicly Published: June 4, 2024
Researcher: Arkadiusz Hydzik
Description: The Newsletter plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'np1' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 8.3.4 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.

Summary:

The Newsletter plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 8.3.4 that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks via the 'np1' parameter. This vulnerability has been patched in version 8.3.5.

Detailed Overview:

The vulnerability discovered by researcher Arkadiusz Hydzik affects the Newsletter plugin due to inadequate handling of user-supplied input in the 'np1' parameter. Exploitation of this flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into pages, potentially compromising user sessions, defacing websites, or redirecting visitors to malicious sites. Updating to version 8.3.5 or newer is critical to prevent exploitation and ensure website security.

Advice for Users:

Immediate Action: Update Newsletter to version 8.3.5 or later immediately.

Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Monitor website logs for unusual script executions or unexpected page behaviors.

Alternate Plugins: Consider using alternative plugins offering similar functionality until Newsletter is updated and verified secure.

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

Conclusion:

The swift release of version 8.3.5 by the Newsletter plugin developers highlights the importance of prompt updates in addressing security vulnerabilities. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to version 8.3.5 or later to safeguard their WordPress installations against potential threats.

References:

Wordfence - Newsletter Vulnerability

Detailed Report:

In today's digital landscape, maintaining the security of your website is paramount. Recently, a critical vulnerability was discovered in the Newsletter plugin for WordPress, underscoring the risks associated with running outdated software. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-5317, allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) via the 'np1' parameter in versions up to 8.3.4. This means that attackers can inject malicious scripts into web pages, potentially compromising sensitive user data and undermining the integrity of your site.

Summary:

The Newsletter plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 8.3.4 that enables unauthenticated attackers to execute malicious scripts via the 'np1' parameter. This vulnerability has been addressed in version 8.3.5.

Detailed Overview:

Discovered by researcher Arkadiusz Hydzik, this vulnerability poses significant risks to website security. Exploitation could lead to compromised user sessions, defaced websites, or redirection to malicious content. Immediate updating to version 8.3.5 or newer is crucial to mitigate these risks. Site administrators should also conduct security audits to ensure no unauthorized access or data breaches have occurred.

Impact of the Vulnerability:

The exploitation of this vulnerability could have severe consequences for website owners. Attackers could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in the website's database, compromise user accounts, or launch further attacks against visitors.

Remediation Steps:

Website administrators are strongly advised to update the Newsletter plugin to version 8.3.5 or later immediately. Additionally, monitoring website logs for any unusual script executions or unexpected behaviors can help detect potential exploitation. Consider using alternative plugins temporarily until Newsletter is confirmed secure.

Conclusion:

The swift response from the Newsletter plugin developers in releasing version 8.3.5 underscores the critical importance of prompt updates in addressing security vulnerabilities. Staying proactive in updating all WordPress plugins and themes is essential to protect against emerging threats and maintain the security of your website and user data.

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.