Question 1

Is my WordPress site at risk if I use Colibri Page Builder?

Accepted Answer

Is my WordPress site at risk if I use Colibri Page Builder?

Your WordPress site is at risk if you use an outdated version of the Colibri Page Builder plugin, up to and including version 1.0.253. These vulnerable versions contain critical security flaws that could allow attackers to compromise administrator accounts, delete content, modify theme data, import images, or execute harmful code. Updating Colibri Page Builder to the latest patched version, 1.0.260, is highly recommended to secure your site.

Question 2

How do I know if my site is affected or has been compromised?

Accepted Answer

How do I know if my site is affected or has been compromised?

Carefully check your installed version of Colibri Page Builder. If you have version 1.0.253 or below, you are affected and should upgrade immediately. Review your site’s logs and files for any suspicious activity involving Colibri Page Builder functions, unauthorized uploads or changes around the update timeline. If unsure, contact a security professional for forensic investigation.

Question 3

Should I find an alternate site builder plugin to be safe?

Accepted Answer

Should I find an alternate site builder plugin to be safe?

While not strictly necessary since this vulnerability has been patched, you may consider alternate plugins like Elementor or Beaver Builder for building pages if you have heightened concerns. Always ensure any new and existing plugins are kept rigorously updated.

Question 4

What could happen if my site was compromised via these flaws?

Accepted Answer

What could happen if my site was compromised via these flaws?

Attackers able to exploit these vulnerabilities could delete key content and files, import unwanted or malicious images, steal sensitive data like customer details, execute harmful code like cryptojackers, and force your site to distribute spam or malware. Compromised sites can seriously damage business reputations and bottom lines.

Question 5

Why wasn’t this vulnerability discovered during plugin testing?

Accepted Answer

Why wasn’t this vulnerability discovered during plugin testing?

Even rigorous testing often cannot catch every vulnerability, especially complex issues like CSRF which require attackers actively manipulating requests. Once notified of these issues, Colibri Page Builder’s developers responded quickly to identify, patch and disclose them responsibly to protect users.

Question 6

Is updating enough or do I need to take other steps too?

Accepted Answer

Is updating enough or do I need to take other steps too?

While a key first action, just updating Colibri Page Builder is not sufficient by itself. You should complete a comprehensive site audit to identify any other legacy issues, enable two-factor authentication for all admin accounts, install latest WordPress core and themes, disable inactive plugins, and consider a security plugin like Wordfence for deep scanning and firewall protection.

Question 7

What support does the plugin developer provide if I was hacked?

Accepted Answer

What support does the plugin developer provide if I was hacked?

Unfortunately the Colibri Page Builder developer provides no direct user support services. If your site was compromised via this vulnerability before updating, you will need to pursue incident response and remediation independently via your web host, security providers or consultants. This underscores the importance of preventative measures like updates and backups.

Question 8

Can outdated plugins cause Google to flag my site as unsafe?

Accepted Answer

Can outdated plugins cause Google to flag my site as unsafe?

Yes, if your site starts distributing malware or spam as a result of being compromised through a plugin exploit like this one, Google will detect this malicious activity and likely warn visitors via Chrome and blacklist the site in search results. Keeping all site software patched prevents the root danger.

Question 9

Should all plugins get regular security audits?

Accepted Answer

Should all plugins get regular security audits?

Ideally, yes. All plugin code should undergo periodic audits by external experts to identify vulnerabilities before release and on major version upgrades. However not all plugin developers have sufficient resources for formal audits. Some rely on community bug reporting and reactive fixes when issues emerge post-launch. Users should prefer audited plugins when possible.

ExtendThemes

Colibri Page Builder Vulnerability – Cross-Site Request Fogery – CVE-2024-1362, CVE-2024-1361 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

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