Simple Sitemap Vulnerability – Cross-Site Request Forgery via admin_notices – CVE-2023-6492 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

Q: What is the Simple Sitemap plugin vulnerability about?

What is the Simple Sitemap plugin vulnerability about? The Simple Sitemap plugin vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-6492, is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue. This vulnerability allows attackers to reset the plugin options to default if they can trick an administrator into clicking on a malicious link. It affects all versions up to and including 3.5.13 and has been patched in version 3.5.14.

Q: How does this vulnerability affect my website?

How does this vulnerability affect my website? If exploited, the vulnerability can reset the plugin settings, potentially disrupting your website's sitemap functionality. This disruption can negatively impact your site's SEO and user navigation, as search engines may struggle to index your site correctly. The resulting configuration changes could also cause further functionality issues across your site.

Q: What should I do to protect my site from this vulnerability?

What should I do to protect my site from this vulnerability? To protect your site, immediately update the Simple Sitemap plugin to version 3.5.14 or later. Regularly check your plugin settings for unexpected changes, as these could indicate a vulnerability exploit. Additionally, consider using security plugins that offer automated updates and monitoring features.

Q: How can I tell if my site has been compromised?

How can I tell if my site has been compromised? Inspect your plugin settings for any unexpected changes, which may suggest that the vulnerability has been exploited. Look for anomalies in your sitemap functionality or SEO performance. If you notice any unusual activity, it could be a sign that your site has been compromised.

Q: Are there alternative plugins I can use?

Are there alternative plugins I can use? Yes, there are several alternative plugins available that offer similar functionality to Simple Sitemap. While the vulnerability has been patched, exploring other options can be a precautionary measure. Research and choose plugins that have strong security features and are regularly updated by their developers.

Q: How do I update the Simple Sitemap plugin?

How do I update the Simple Sitemap plugin? To update the Simple Sitemap plugin, go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the Plugins section. Locate the Simple Sitemap plugin and click on the 'Update Now' button if an update is available. Ensure that you are updating to version 3.5.14 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.

Q: Why is it important to keep plugins updated?

Why is it important to keep plugins updated? Keeping plugins updated is crucial to ensure that any security vulnerabilities are patched promptly. Outdated plugins can be targets for attackers, putting your website at risk. Regular updates also improve plugin functionality and compatibility with the latest WordPress versions.

Q: What are the risks of not updating this plugin?

What are the risks of not updating this plugin? Failing to update the plugin leaves your site vulnerable to attacks that can exploit the CSRF issue. This can lead to unauthorized configuration changes, disrupting your sitemap and potentially harming your SEO. The longer the plugin remains outdated, the higher the risk of your site being compromised.

Q: Who discovered this vulnerability?

Who discovered this vulnerability? The vulnerability was identified by researcher Rafshanzani Suhada. Researchers like Suhada play a critical role in finding and reporting security issues, allowing developers to address and patch these vulnerabilities. Publicly publishing these findings helps raise awareness and encourages prompt action.

Q: What measures can small business owners take to enhance their website security?

What measures can small business owners take to enhance their website security? Small business owners should regularly update all plugins and themes to their latest versions. Consider using managed WordPress hosting services or security plugins that provide automated updates and additional protection. Staying informed about potential risks and implementing proactive security measures is essential for maintaining a secure website.

By Your WP Guy | June 13, 2024

Plugin Name: Simple Sitemap – Create a Responsive HTML Sitemap

Key Information:

Software Type: Plugin
Software Slug: simple-sitemap
Software Status: Active
Software Author: dgwyer
Software Downloads: 1,541,369
Active Installs: 90,000
Last Updated: July 2, 2024
Patched Versions: 3.5.14
Affected Versions: <= 3.5.13

Vulnerability Details:

Name: Simple Sitemap <= 3.5.13
Title: Cross-Site Request Forgery via admin_notices
Type: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
CVE: CVE-2023-6492
CVSS Score: 4.3
Publicly Published: June 13, 2024
Researcher: Rafshanzani Suhada
Description: The Simple Sitemap – Create a Responsive HTML Sitemap plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) in all versions up to and including 3.5.13. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation in the 'admin_notices' hook found in class-settings.php. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to reset the plugin options to a default state via a forged request, provided they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.

Summary:

The Simple Sitemap plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 3.5.13 that allows unauthenticated attackers to reset the plugin options to a default state via a forged request, provided they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link. This vulnerability has been patched in version 3.5.14.

Detailed Overview:

The vulnerability, identified by Rafshanzani Suhada and designated CVE-2023-6492, is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue found in the Simple Sitemap plugin. The CSRF vulnerability arises from missing or incorrect nonce validation in the 'admin_notices' hook located in the class-settings.php file. This flaw enables attackers to reset the plugin options to their default state if they can trick an administrator into clicking on a malicious link. This could disrupt the functionality of the sitemap and potentially affect the website's SEO and user navigation experience.

Vulnerability Remediation:

The plugin's author, dgwyer, has released a patch in version 3.5.14, addressing the CSRF vulnerability by implementing proper nonce validation in the affected 'admin_notices' hook.

Advice for Users:

Immediate Action: Users are strongly encouraged to update the Simple Sitemap plugin to version 3.5.14 or later to mitigate this vulnerability.
Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Inspect the plugin settings for unexpected changes, which may indicate that the vulnerability has been exploited.
Alternate Plugins: While a patch is available, users might still consider other plugins that offer similar functionality as a precaution.
Stay Updated: Regularly update all plugins to their latest versions to avoid potential vulnerabilities.

Conclusion:

The prompt response from the plugin developers to patch this vulnerability underscores the importance of timely updates. Users are advised to ensure that they are running version 3.5.14 or later to secure their WordPress installations.

References:

Detailed Report:

In the ever-evolving landscape of website security, keeping your WordPress plugins up to date is crucial. Recently, a significant security vulnerability was discovered in the Simple Sitemap plugin, widely used to create responsive HTML sitemaps for WordPress sites. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-6492, underscores the potential risks posed by outdated plugins and the importance of prompt updates to safeguard your site.

Summary:

Detailed Overview:

The vulnerability identified by Rafshanzani Suhada, assigned as CVE-2023-6492, is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue located in the Simple Sitemap plugin. The vulnerability is due to the absence or improper validation of nonces in the 'admin_notices' hook within the class-settings.php file. This security flaw allows attackers to reset plugin options to their default settings if they can deceive an administrator into clicking on a malicious link. Such a reset could disrupt the sitemap functionality, potentially impacting the site's SEO and user navigation experience.

Risks and Potential Impacts:

The main risk involves unauthorized changes to the plugin’s configuration, potentially disrupting the site's sitemap functionality.
Negative impacts on the website's SEO and user experience due to disrupted sitemap functionality.
Potential reduction in search engine rankings as a result of improper site indexing.

Vulnerability Remediation:

The plugin's author, dgwyer, has issued a patch in version 3.5.14, correcting the CSRF vulnerability by ensuring proper nonce validation in the affected 'admin_notices' hook.

Previous Vulnerabilities:

Since March 4, 2022, the Simple Sitemap plugin has had three previous vulnerabilities. This history underscores the critical need for ongoing vigilance and regular updates to maintain plugin security.

Conclusion:

The swift action by the plugin developers to address this vulnerability highlights the necessity of timely updates. Small business owners, who may lack the time to constantly monitor security updates, should consider using managed WordPress hosting services or security plugins that automate updates and provide additional layers of protection. Regular updates and awareness of potential risks are essential for safeguarding your website and maintaining its functionality and security.

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.

Simple Sitemap Vulnerability – Cross-Site Request Forgery via admin_notices – CVE-2023-6492 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report FAQs

What is the Simple Sitemap plugin vulnerability about?

The Simple Sitemap plugin vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-6492, is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue. This vulnerability allows attackers to reset the plugin options to default if they can trick an administrator into clicking on a malicious link. It affects all versions up to and including 3.5.13 and has been patched in version 3.5.14.

How does this vulnerability affect my website?

If exploited, the vulnerability can reset the plugin settings, potentially disrupting your website's sitemap functionality. This disruption can negatively impact your site's SEO and user navigation, as search engines may struggle to index your site correctly. The resulting configuration changes could also cause further functionality issues across your site.

What should I do to protect my site from this vulnerability?

How can I tell if my site has been compromised?

Are there alternative plugins I can use?

How do I update the Simple Sitemap plugin?

Why is it important to keep plugins updated?

What are the risks of not updating this plugin?

Who discovered this vulnerability?

What measures can small business owners take to enhance their website security?

Small business owners should regularly update all plugins and themes to their latest versions. Consider using managed WordPress hosting services or security plugins that provide automated updates and additional protection. Staying informed about potential risks and implementing proactive security measures is essential for maintaining a secure website.

Share this post:

X (Twitter) Facebook LinkedIn Email Reddit WhatsApp Pocket SMS

Posted in Security, Vulnerabilities and tagged CSRF vulnerability, CVE-2023-6492, Cybersecurity, dgwyer, Plugin Patch, Plugin Update, Rafshanzani Suhada, security vulnerability, SEO impact, Simple Sitemap, Small Business Security, Website Maintenance, Website Protection, Website Security, WordPress, WordPress plugin, wordpress security

Plugin Name: Simple Sitemap – Create a Responsive HTML Sitemap

Key Information:

Vulnerability Details:

Summary:

Detailed Overview:

Vulnerability Remediation:

Advice for Users:

Conclusion:

References:

Detailed Report:

Summary:

Detailed Overview:

Risks and Potential Impacts:

Vulnerability Remediation:

Previous Vulnerabilities:

Conclusion:

Staying Secure

Simple Sitemap Vulnerability – Cross-Site Request Forgery via admin_notices – CVE-2023-6492 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report FAQs

What is the Simple Sitemap plugin vulnerability about?

How does this vulnerability affect my website?

What should I do to protect my site from this vulnerability?

How can I tell if my site has been compromised?

Are there alternative plugins I can use?

How do I update the Simple Sitemap plugin?

Why is it important to keep plugins updated?

What are the risks of not updating this plugin?

Who discovered this vulnerability?

What measures can small business owners take to enhance their website security?

Share this post:

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Recent Blog Posts

LiteSpeed Cache Vulnerability – Unauthenticated Sensitive Information Exposure via Log Files – CVE-2024-44000 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

Elementor Addon Elements Vulnerability – Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Multiple Parameters – CVE-2024-4401, CVE-2024-7122 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

The Post Grid – Shortcode, Gutenberg Blocks and Elementor Addon for Post Grid Vulnerability – Authenticated (Contributor+) Information Disclosure – CVE-2024-7418 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

Additional Resources

About Your WP Guy