Simple Membership Vulnerability – Open Redirect – CVE-2024-22308 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

Q: What exactly is the vulnerability in Simple Membership?

What exactly is the vulnerability in Simple Membership? The vulnerability is an open redirect issue that stems from insufficient validation of a redirect URL parameter in the plugin's code. By supplying a malicious redirect URL, attackers can redirect WordPress site visitors to external malicious websites rather than the correct internal page they expected.

Q: How can this vulnerability be exploited?

How can this vulnerability be exploited? Attackers don't need an account or be logged in to exploit it. They can craft links containing the malicious redirect URL parameter which tricks the Simple Membership plugin. If a user clicks such a manipulated link, they will get redirected from the WordPress site to whatever external site the attacker wants, such as a phishing site or malware download.

Q: Is this being actively exploited in the wild?

Is this being actively exploited in the wild? As of now there are no reports that this specific Simple Membership vulnerability has been exploited in active attacks. However, open redirect issues are a common attack vector and given the popularity of the plugin, attackers may seek out sites still running vulnerable versions.

Q: What is the scope and scale of sites at risk?

What is the scope and scale of sites at risk? Any WordPress site running Simple Membership at version 4.4.1 or lower is affected. Given that it has over 2 million downloads and around 50,000 active installs, a significant number of sites globally could be impacted.

Q: What can happen if my site is impacted?

What can happen if my site is impacted? Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can enable phishing campaigns to steal user credentials, installation of malware payloads through compromised sites, and potentially hijacking the site's domain for malicious purposes. There are serious cybersecurity and trust implications.

Q: Should I just delete Simple Membership until this is patched?

Should I just delete Simple Membership until this is patched? You do not necessarily need to fully delete the plugin if you rely on it for your site's membership functionality. As long as you upgrade to the latest version 4.4.2, you will be protected through the security patch. Deleting plugins can sometimes cause site problems.

Q: What could happen if I take no action?

What could happen if I take no action? Leaving this vulnerability unpatched puts your site and users at risks of phishing, malware, and potentially complete site hijacking. It enables attackers to misuse your domain to spread cyber threats to unwitting visitors. This can undermine trust and damage your brand reputation.

Q: Will updating WordPress core help resolve this?

Will updating WordPress core help resolve this? No, updating the WordPress core is distinct from updating plugins and themes. This vulnerability exists specifically in the Simple Membership plugin code itself. Updating WordPress will not patch vulnerabilities within third-party plugins.

Q: Should I be concerned about any other plugins?

Should I be concerned about any other plugins? This vulnerability is specific to Simple Membership, but you should adopt a mindset of continuously evaluating and testing all other plugins and themes for any vulnerabilities reported. Enable automatic background updates to keep all plugins updated easily.

Q: Where can I get help securing my WordPress site?

Where can I get help securing my WordPress site? Our team of WordPress security experts are here to help provide personalized advice and fixes tailored to your website’s specific vulnerabilities at an affordable price. Contact us for assistance locking down security issues to prevent exploits.

By Your WP Guy | January 19, 2024

Plugin Name: Simple Membership

Key Information:

Software Type: Plugin
Software Slug: simple-membership
Software Status: Active
Software Author: mra13
Software Downloads: 2,388,048
Active Installs: 50,000
Last Updated: January 19, 2024
Patched Versions: 4.4.2
Affected Versions: <= 4.4.1

Vulnerability Details:

Name: Simple Membership <= 4.4.1 - Open Redirect
Title: Open Redirect
Type: URL Redirection to Untrusted Site ('Open Redirect')
CVE: CVE-2024-22308
CVSS Score: 6.1 (Medium)
Publicly Published: January 19, 2024
Researcher: Joshua Chan
Description: The Simple Membership plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Open Redirect in all versions up to, and including, 4.4.1. This is due to insufficient validation on the redirect url supplied via the swpm_page_url parameter. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to redirect users to potentially malicious sites if they can successfully trick them into performing an action.

Summary:

The Simple Membership plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 4.4.1 that allows unauthenticated attackers to redirect users to potentially malicious sites. This vulnerability has been patched in version 4.4.2.

Detailed Overview:

The Simple Membership plugin has an open redirect vulnerability due to insufficient validation of the swpm_page_url parameter. Attackers can supply a malicious redirect URL that will redirect users from the WordPress site to external malicious sites. This could be used for phishing attacks or other malicious purposes.

This vulnerability was publicly disclosed on January 19, 2024 by researcher Joshua Chan. It affects all plugin versions up to and including 4.4.1. Users are advised to update to version 4.4.2 which contains a fix for this vulnerability by properly sanitizing and validating the swpm_page_url parameter.

Advice for Users:

Immediate Action: Update to version 4.4.2 or higher as soon as possible.
Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Review web server access logs for any suspicious redirects.
Alternate Plugins: Consider alternative membership plugins like MemberPress or Paid Memberships Pro as a precaution.
Stay Updated: Enable automatic updates in WordPress to receive timely security fixes.

Conclusion:

This open redirect vulnerability has been addressed promptly by the plugin developers with a patched release. Users should ensure they are running version 4.4.2 or higher to mitigate risks. Proper validation of all redirect URLs is crucial for security.

References:

https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/wordpress-plugins/simple-membership

https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/wordpress-plugins/simple-membership/simple-membership-441-open-redirect

Detailed Report:

Keeping your WordPress website secure should be a top priority – after all, you don’t want your hard work to be compromised. Unfortunately vulnerabilities in plugins and themes are frequently discovered, putting many WordPress sites at risk if left unpatched. One such recently disclosed vulnerability is in the popular Simple Membership plugin, used on over 50,000 sites.

In versions up to and including 4.4.1, Simple Membership contains an open redirect vulnerability that could allow attackers to trick your site visitors into visiting malicious third-party websites. Left unaddressed, this vulnerability allows for phishing and other cyber threats that could seriously undermine user trust and expose sensitive information.

About the Simple Membership Plugin

The Simple Membership plugin is an actively maintained WordPress membership plugin with over 2 million downloads. It offers subscription packages, content restriction, and drip content functionality for membership sites.

Details of the Vulnerability

Researcher Joshua Chan publicly disclosed an open redirect vulnerability in Simple Membership on January 19th, 2024. This affects all versions up to and including 4.4.1. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to redirect WordPress users to arbitrary websites by supplying a malicious URL. Attackers could leverage this to conduct phishing campaigns, compromise login credentials, or spread malware.

Risks and Potential Impacts

This open redirect vulnerability poses serious risks if left unpatched:

Phishing attacks to steal user credentials and sensitive data
Malware infections from compromised sites
Reputation damage if your site spreads malware or launches attacks

How to Update and Remediate

If you use Simple Membership, update to version 4.4.2 immediately. This patches the vulnerability.
Review recent access logs for suspicious activity.
Consider requiring users to reset passwords out of caution.

You should also enable automatic background updates in WordPress which would have automatically updated Simple Membership as soon as the fix was published.

History of Vulnerabilities

This is the 17th publicly disclosed vulnerability in Simple Membership since July 2016, highlighting the importance of prompt security updates.

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.