Smush Image Optimization – Optimize Images | Compress & Lazy Load Images | Convert WebP | Image CDN Vulnerability – Missing Authorization to Resmush List Deletion – CVE-2023-3352 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

Q: What is the Smush Image Optimization plugin?

What is the Smush Image Optimization plugin? The Smush Image Optimization plugin is a popular WordPress plugin designed to optimize images, compress them, and improve website performance. It also supports lazy loading, WebP conversion, and image CDN integration. With over 1 million active installs and nearly 55 million downloads, it is widely used by WordPress website owners to enhance their site’s speed and efficiency.

Q: What is the CVE-2023-3352 vulnerability?

What is the CVE-2023-3352 vulnerability? CVE-2023-3352 is a security vulnerability in the Smush Image Optimization plugin that allows authenticated users with minimal permissions to delete the resmush list. This vulnerability is due to a missing capability check on the delete_resmush_list() function. It affects plugin versions up to and including 3.16.4 and has a CVSS score of 4.3.

Q: How does this vulnerability affect my website?

How does this vulnerability affect my website? This vulnerability allows users with minimal permissions, such as subscribers, to delete the resmush list, which is critical for image optimization. Unauthorized deletion of this list can disrupt your image optimization processes, leading to slower page load times and negatively affecting user experience. For small businesses, this can result in decreased customer satisfaction and potential loss of revenue.

Q: What should I do if my website is using an affected version of the Smush plugin?

What should I do if my website is using an affected version of the Smush plugin? If your website is using an affected version of the Smush plugin, you should immediately update to version 3.16.5 or later. The update includes a proper capability check to prevent unauthorized deletions of the resmush list. Regularly checking for and applying updates to all your plugins is crucial to maintaining the security of your website.

Q: How can I check if my website has been compromised?

How can I check if my website has been compromised? To check if your website has been compromised, review your Media Library and Nextgen galleries for any missing or unexpected changes to the resmush list. You can also use security plugins to scan your site for any signs of tampering or unauthorized changes. Regularly monitoring your site for unusual activity can help you identify and address security issues promptly.

Q: Are there any alternative plugins I can use?

Are there any alternative plugins I can use? While the Smush plugin has released a patch, you may consider alternative plugins for image optimization. Evaluate the security history, update frequency, and user reviews of potential alternatives to ensure they meet your needs. Some popular alternatives include Imagify, ShortPixel, and EWWW Image Optimizer.

Q: Why is it important to keep plugins updated?

Why is it important to keep plugins updated? Keeping plugins updated is essential to protect your website from known vulnerabilities and to ensure compatibility with the latest WordPress updates. Developers regularly release updates to fix security flaws, add new features, and improve performance. Regular updates help you maintain a secure and efficient website.

Q: What are the risks of not updating my plugins?

What are the risks of not updating my plugins? Not updating your plugins can expose your website to security risks, including data breaches, unauthorized access, and site takeovers. Outdated plugins with known vulnerabilities are prime targets for attackers. Failing to update can result in significant damage to your website, loss of data, and harm to your business reputation.

Q: Who discovered the CVE-2023-3352 vulnerability?

Who discovered the CVE-2023-3352 vulnerability? The CVE-2023-3352 vulnerability was discovered by Truoc Phan An Đặng. The vulnerability was publicly published on June 20, 2024. Security researchers like Truoc play a critical role in identifying and reporting vulnerabilities to help keep the internet safe.

Q: How can I stay informed about plugin vulnerabilities?

How can I stay informed about plugin vulnerabilities? To stay informed about plugin vulnerabilities, subscribe to security bulletins from trusted sources such as Wordfence and Patchstack. Enable automatic updates for your plugins when possible and regularly check for new updates. Staying proactive about security updates helps protect your website from emerging threats.

By Your WP Guy | June 20, 2024

Plugin Name: Smush Image Optimization – Optimize Images | Compress & Lazy Load Images | Convert WebP | Image CDN

Key Information:

Software Type: Plugin
Software Slug: wp-smushit
Software Status: Active
Software Author: wpmudev
Software Downloads: 54,994,090
Active Installs: 1,000,000
Last Updated: July 22, 2024
Patched Versions: 3.16.5
Affected Versions: <= 3.16.4

Vulnerability Details:

Name: Smush – Lazy Load Images, Optimize & Compress Images <= 3.16.4
Title: Missing Authorization to Resmush List Deletion
Type: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
CVE: CVE-2023-3352
CVSS Score: 4.3
Publicly Published: June 20, 2024
Researcher: Truoc Phan An Đặng
Description: The Smush plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized deletion of the resmush list due to a missing capability check on the delete_resmush_list() function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with minimal permissions such as a subscriber, to delete the resmush list for Nextgen or the Media Library.

Summary:

The Smush Image Optimization plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 3.16.4 that allows unauthorized deletion of the resmush list due to a missing capability check on the delete_resmush_list() function. This vulnerability has been patched in version 3.16.5.

Detailed Overview:

The vulnerability, identified by researcher Truoc Phan An Đặng, is due to a missing authorization check on the delete_resmush_list() function within the Smush plugin. This flaw allows authenticated attackers with minimal permissions, such as a subscriber, to delete the resmush list for Nextgen or the Media Library. This poses a risk to the integrity of image optimization processes on affected websites. Users running versions up to 3.16.4 are at risk, and the remediation involved implementing a proper capability check to prevent unauthorized deletions.

Advice for Users:

Immediate Action: Users should update to version 3.16.5 immediately to mitigate this vulnerability.

Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Review your Media Library and Nextgen galleries for any missing or unexpected changes to the resmush list, as this may indicate compromise.

Alternate Plugins: While a patch is available, users might still consider alternative plugins that offer similar functionality as a precaution.

Stay Updated: Always ensure that your plugins are updated to the latest versions to avoid 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 3.16.5 or later to secure their WordPress installations.

References:

Detailed Report:

In the fast-paced digital world, the security of your WordPress website is of utmost importance. One of the key components of maintaining a secure site is ensuring that all plugins are up to date. Recently, a vulnerability was discovered in the widely-used Smush Image Optimization plugin, which affects versions up to 3.16.4. This vulnerability, known as the "Missing Authorization to Resmush List Deletion" (CVE-2023-3352), allows authenticated users with minimal permissions to delete critical resmush lists.

Risks and Potential Impacts

The identified vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with minimal permissions to delete the resmush list used for image optimization. This could result in significant disruptions to your website's image optimization processes, leading to slower load times and a degraded user experience. For small businesses, such performance issues can deter potential customers, harm your brand's reputation, and ultimately impact your bottom line.

Remediation Steps

Immediate Action: Users should update to version 3.16.5 immediately to mitigate this vulnerability. The update includes a proper capability check to prevent unauthorized deletions.

Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Review your Media Library and Nextgen galleries for any missing or unexpected changes to the resmush list, as this may indicate compromise. Regular audits can help you identify and address issues early.

Alternate Plugins: While a patch is available, users might still consider alternative plugins that offer similar functionality as a precaution. Evaluate the security history and update frequency of potential alternatives to ensure they are reliable.

Stay Updated: Regularly update all plugins to their latest versions to avoid potential vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates if possible and subscribe to security bulletins from trusted sources to stay informed about new vulnerabilities and patches.

Previous Vulnerabilities

The Smush plugin has had 4 previous vulnerabilities since September 21, 2017. This history highlights the importance of consistently monitoring and updating plugins to safeguard your website against newly discovered threats. Regular updates and prompt patching can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation.

Conclusion

The prompt response from the plugin developers to patch this vulnerability underscores the importance of timely updates. Small business owners, who often juggle multiple responsibilities, must prioritize the security of their WordPress installations. Ensuring that all plugins are up-to-date and regularly monitoring for potential vulnerabilities are essential steps in protecting your online presence. Staying on top of security vulnerabilities is not just a technical necessity but a critical component of maintaining customer trust and business integrity.

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.

Smush Image Optimization – Optimize Images | Compress & Lazy Load Images | Convert WebP | Image CDN Vulnerability – Missing Authorization to Resmush List Deletion – CVE-2023-3352 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report FAQs

What is the Smush Image Optimization plugin?

The Smush Image Optimization plugin is a popular WordPress plugin designed to optimize images, compress them, and improve website performance. It also supports lazy loading, WebP conversion, and image CDN integration. With over 1 million active installs and nearly 55 million downloads, it is widely used by WordPress website owners to enhance their site’s speed and efficiency.

What is the CVE-2023-3352 vulnerability?

CVE-2023-3352 is a security vulnerability in the Smush Image Optimization plugin that allows authenticated users with minimal permissions to delete the resmush list. This vulnerability is due to a missing capability check on the delete_resmush_list() function. It affects plugin versions up to and including 3.16.4 and has a CVSS score of 4.3.

How does this vulnerability affect my website?

This vulnerability allows users with minimal permissions, such as subscribers, to delete the resmush list, which is critical for image optimization. Unauthorized deletion of this list can disrupt your image optimization processes, leading to slower page load times and negatively affecting user experience. For small businesses, this can result in decreased customer satisfaction and potential loss of revenue.

What should I do if my website is using an affected version of the Smush plugin?

If your website is using an affected version of the Smush plugin, you should immediately update to version 3.16.5 or later. The update includes a proper capability check to prevent unauthorized deletions of the resmush list. Regularly checking for and applying updates to all your plugins is crucial to maintaining the security of your website.

How can I check if my website has been compromised?

To check if your website has been compromised, review your Media Library and Nextgen galleries for any missing or unexpected changes to the resmush list. You can also use security plugins to scan your site for any signs of tampering or unauthorized changes. Regularly monitoring your site for unusual activity can help you identify and address security issues promptly.

Are there any alternative plugins I can use?

Why is it important to keep plugins updated?

What are the risks of not updating my plugins?

Who discovered the CVE-2023-3352 vulnerability?

How can I stay informed about plugin vulnerabilities?

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Posted in Security, Vulnerabilities and tagged CVE-2023-3352, Cybersecurity, data protection, image optimization, Patchstack, Plugin Update, Plugin Vulnerability, Small Business Security, Smush plugin, Web Development, Website Security, Wordfence, WordPress, wordpress security