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

Plugin Name: The Post Grid – Shortcode, Gutenberg Blocks and Elementor Addon for Post Grid

Key Information:

• Software Type: Plugin
• Software Slug: the-post-grid
• Software Status: Active
• Software Author: techlabpro1
• Software Downloads: 2,131,603
• Active Installs: 100,000
• Last Updated: September 14, 2024
• Patched Versions: 7.7.12
• Affected Versions: <= 7.7.11

Vulnerability Details:

• Name: The Post Grid <= 7.7.11
• Type: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
• CVE: CVE-2024-7418
• CVSS Score: 4.3
• Publicly Published: August 28, 2024
• Researcher: stealthcopter
• Description: The Post Grid – Shortcode, Gutenberg Blocks and Elementor Addon for Post Grid plugin is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Disclosure in versions up to and including 7.7.11. The vulnerability occurs via the post_query_guten and post_query functions, allowing authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher to extract information from posts that are not publicly available (e.g., drafts, future posts).

Summary:

The Post Grid plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 7.7.11 that allows authenticated users with contributor-level permissions or higher to extract sensitive information from non-public posts. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of the post_query_guten and post_query functions. This vulnerability has been patched in version 7.7.12.

Detailed Overview:

This vulnerability, discovered by researcher stealthcopter, affects the Post Grid – Shortcode, Gutenberg Blocks and Elementor Addon for Post Grid plugin. The issue occurs because the plugin does not properly restrict access to certain non-public post statuses, such as drafts and scheduled posts, through its post_query_guten and post_query functions. Users with contributor-level access can exploit this flaw to gain access to content that should not be visible until published.

Although the CVSS score of 4.3 indicates a relatively low-risk vulnerability, it still poses a significant privacy issue for sites that use contributor roles to manage content. Unauthorized access to unpublished posts could expose sensitive information or draft content that hasn’t yet been finalized for public viewing.

Advice for Users:

• Immediate Action: If you are using the Post Grid plugin, update it to version 7.7.12 or later to patch this vulnerability and prevent sensitive information from being disclosed.
• Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Review logs and access records for unusual activity from users with contributor-level permissions. If you see unauthorized access to non-public posts, it could indicate that your site has been exposed to this vulnerability.
• Alternate Plugins: While the patch resolves the issue, users concerned about long-term security risks may consider alternative post grid or page-building plugins. However, once patched, the Post Grid plugin remains a reliable option for managing posts on WordPress.
• Stay Updated: Always ensure your plugins are up to date to minimize exposure to security vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates or set a routine to manually check for updates regularly.

Conclusion:

The quick response from the Post Grid plugin developers in addressing this vulnerability highlights the importance of regular plugin updates. Users are advised to ensure they are running version 7.7.12 or later to secure their WordPress installations against the risk of information disclosure. Keeping plugins up to date is essential for maintaining the security and privacy of your WordPress site.

References:

• Wordfence Threat Intelligence - The Post Grid Vulnerability
• Wordfence Threat Intel Blog

Detailed Report: 

Keeping your WordPress website secure is vital, especially when your business depends on plugins to manage content. Outdated plugins can leave your site vulnerable to security issues that expose sensitive information, putting your business and data at risk. Recently, a vulnerability in the Post Grid – Shortcode, Gutenberg Blocks, and Elementor Addon for Post Grid plugin was discovered, affecting versions up to and including 7.7.11. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-7418, allows authenticated users with contributor-level access or higher to view non-public posts, such as drafts and scheduled content.

While this vulnerability has a relatively low CVSS score of 4.3, it still poses a significant privacy risk for websites that manage sensitive content through contributor roles. Fortunately, the issue has been addressed in version 7.7.12. If you haven’t updated yet, your site remains vulnerable, and it’s essential to take action to protect your website and its content.

Plugin Overview:

The Post Grid – Shortcode, Gutenberg Blocks and Elementor Addon for Post Grid plugin is a popular tool used to display posts in grid layouts, with over 2.1 million downloads and 100,000 active installations. It's widely used by WordPress site owners for creating engaging content layouts using shortcodes, Gutenberg blocks, and Elementor addons.

Vulnerability Details:

This vulnerability arises from improper handling of the post_query_guten and post_query functions in the plugin. These functions allow contributor-level users to access information from non-public posts, such as drafts or posts scheduled for future publication. This is an issue for websites that allow contributors to manage content, as it grants them unauthorized access to sensitive content.

While the CVSS score of 4.3 indicates that this vulnerability isn’t highly severe, it still poses a risk to sites that manage sensitive or private information. Unauthorized access to unpublished posts could result in privacy issues, content leaks, or exposure of sensitive information before it's ready to be made public.

Risks and Potential Impacts:

The main risk associated with this vulnerability is the disclosure of sensitive information in unpublished posts. Contributor-level users can access draft posts, scheduled content, or other private content that isn’t yet visible to the public. This could lead to the premature release of content, potential leaks of proprietary information, or exposure of private drafts that aren't intended for public consumption.

Though the vulnerability doesn't allow for full site takeover or data loss, it can still undermine the privacy and confidentiality of your content, which may impact your website’s reputation or the security of planned posts.

Remediation:

To protect your website from this vulnerability, it’s essential to take the following steps:

1. Immediate Action: Update the Post Grid plugin to version 7.7.12 or later, which fixes the vulnerability by properly restricting access to non-public posts. This update prevents contributor-level users from accessing information they shouldn't see.
2. Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Review your website’s access logs for any suspicious activity involving contributor-level users. Pay particular attention to whether non-public posts were accessed by unauthorized users before updating the plugin.
3. Consider Alternative Plugins: If you're concerned about long-term security risks, you might explore alternative plugins with similar functionalities. However, once patched, Post Grid remains a reliable option for creating grid layouts on WordPress.
4. Stay Updated: Make sure that all your WordPress plugins, including Post Grid, are up to date. Enable automatic updates or set a schedule to regularly check for plugin updates to avoid future vulnerabilities.

Previous Vulnerabilities:

It’s important to note that the Post Grid plugin has had 8 previous vulnerabilities reported since February 20, 2023. Each issue has been promptly addressed by the developers with patches, but this history emphasizes the importance of regular updates to prevent security breaches. Even trusted plugins can experience security issues, which highlights the need for proactive maintenance.

Conclusion:

For small business owners managing WordPress websites, staying on top of plugin vulnerabilities can be challenging. However, keeping your plugins updated is critical for maintaining a secure and reliable website. The recent vulnerability in The Post Grid plugin highlights how even low-risk vulnerabilities can lead to privacy concerns if left unpatched. By ensuring your plugins are updated and monitoring for unusual activity, you can protect your site and its content from unauthorized access.

If you don’t have the time to manage updates manually, consider enabling automatic updates or partnering with a security professional to keep your website secure. Regular updates are key to protecting your business and maintaining the trust of your visitors.

Staying Secure

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