Question 1

How serious is this vulnerability?

Accepted Answer

How serious is this vulnerability?

This vulnerability is quite serious, with a CVSS severity score of 6.4 out of 10, putting it in the Medium severity range. While the most severe Critical risks allow remote code execution, a wider range of attacks are possible with this flaw. The main danger is that authenticated users can inject malicious JavaScript into pages and posts. When visitors load a compromised page, that JavaScript will execute and enables actions like stealing session cookies to take over accounts, keylogging to get passwords, or injecting malware payloads. So the vulnerability not only impacts the security of the site itself, but puts all visitors at risk as well. Given the broad installation base of WordPress Popular Posts, the vulnerability poses a significant threat until patched.

Question 2

I have the vulnerable plugin installed. Am I already hacked?

Accepted Answer

I have the vulnerable plugin installed. Am I already hacked?

Not necessarily. Simply having a vulnerable plugin version does not mean your site has been compromised yet. An attacker would need to specifically target your site, gain access, and exploit the vulnerability to inject malicious scripts. You may have dodged attack so far by luck. The only way to know for sure is to carefully audit your site's content for unexpected JavaScript payloads that could signal exploitation. But either way, you should update the plugin as soon as possible to close that window of opportunity for attackers. Assume your site could be compromised at any moment if left vulnerable.

Question 3

How can I best protect my site from vulnerabilities like this?

Accepted Answer

How can I best protect my site from vulnerabilities like this?

The very best protection is to stay vigilant and quickly patch vulnerabilities whenever they emerge. Sign up for security notification lists, follow the vendors issuing updates, or use a specialized WordPress host that handles updates for you. Review plugin changelogs to see what vulnerabilities were addressed in new versions. Enable auto-updates for WordPress core and plugins whenever possible. hosts with threat monitoring can detect if your site is compromised even between updates. Taking a proactive approach reduces the chances of missing a critical patch and getting exploited.

Question 4

Are other plugins likely vulnerable too?

Accepted Answer

Are other plugins likely vulnerable too?

Unfortunately yes - vulnerabilities are disturbingly common in plugins. With over 55,000 different plugins in the WordPress ecosystem, there is a never-ending stream of newly disclosed flaws. In fact, vulnerabilities in plugins now account for over 80% of WordPress security issues. Top plugins like Yoast SEO, Jetpack, and others have had vulnerabilities discovered previously. So it is critical to adopt a "vulnerabilities everywhere" mindset and not assume other plugins are necessarily safe. Proactively patching keeps everything locked down.

Question 5

How urgently should I update WordPress Popular Posts?

Accepted Answer

How urgently should I update WordPress Popular Posts?

Updating should be treated as an utmost priority. Given that this vulnerability can be exploited by anyone with author-level access, you are exposed to attack from your own team members as well as external hackers. And again - once your site is compromised, that gives attackers a foothold to find and exploit other flaws. Any delay leaves a window open for compromise. If you do not have availability to immediately update, other precautions like temporarily disabling the plugin or blocking author access may be warranted in the interim. But patching is the only complete solution, so this should be done ASAP.

Question 6

What risks come with updating plugins?

Accepted Answer

What risks come with updating plugins?

Updating does come with some risk of compatibility issues or new bugs being introduced. But in nearly all cases, that risk is dwarfed by the risks of leaving vulnerabilities unpatched. Security researchers and ethical hackers are continuously probing plugins for flaws, so keeping up to date is crucial. One wise precaution is to first update plugins on a development/staging copy of your site to check for any problems before updating production. You can also wait a few days after a new release to see if any serious issues are reported. Overall though, timely updating is imperative even with the slight risk.

Question 7

Are there alternative plugins I can use?

Accepted Answer

Are there alternative plugins I can use?

If you have concerns about the security history of a plugin like WordPress Popular Posts, shifting to alternate plugins can be a good option. There are a number of plugins that offer similar popular posts functionality such as Simple Most Popular Posts, WP Post Ratings, and Popularity Contest. Check user reviews and consult with your developer to evaluate alternatives. Just be sure to vet the security track record of any new plugin thoroughly first.

Question 8

How can I find time to stay on top of all these updates?

Accepted Answer

How can I find time to stay on top of all these updates?

As a busy small business owner, dedicating time to constant security monitoring is difficult. But leaving your site vulnerable can lead to devastating consequences for your business. Consider options like 1) using a managed WordPress host that handles monitoring and updates for you; 2) subscribing to monitoring services that disclose vulnerabilities; 3) delegating oversight to an employee or developer; or 4) at minimum setting up automatic background updates everywhere possible. Finding a solution to stay up-to-date is crucial for every business.

Question 9

Are there any tools that can help me scan for vulnerabilities?

Accepted Answer

Are there any tools that can help me scan for vulnerabilities?

Yes, there are various tools and services that can scan your WordPress site for known vulnerable plugins or themes and other security flaws:

The WordPress core includes a basic vulnerability scanner that checks for any glaring issues.
Sucuri SiteCheck offers a free remote scan of your site's security.
WordPress security plugins like Wordfence and iThemes Security also include vulnerability detection in their feature set.
Paid services like WPScan provide in-depth vulnerability scanning.

Run regular scans to detect any vulnerabilities that may have been introduced over time.

Question 10

What other WordPress security best practices should I follow?

Accepted Answer

What other WordPress security best practices should I follow?

Beyond staying updated, other vital WordPress security best practices include:

Use strong unique passwords, limit admin accounts, and enable two-factor authentication.
Research and use only reputable themes/plugins, review changelogs and permissions.
Limit unnecessary plugins, themes, accounts to reduce your attack surface.
Leverage firewalls, threat detection, and monitoring provided by managed WordPress hosts.
Perform regular backups and security scans to limit damage from any breach.
Educate all site users on security precautions and risks.

Following WordPress specific guidelines and general security best practices is key to protecting your site.

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WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report – WordPress Popular Posts – Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Shortcode