WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report – Ocean Extra – Cross-Site Request Forgery to Arbitrary Plugin Activation

Q: What exactly is the vulnerability in Ocean Extra?

What exactly is the vulnerability in Ocean Extra? The vulnerability is a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) issue impacting Ocean Extra versions up to and including 2.2.2. Due to missing nonce validation, an attacker could potentially trick an admin into clicking a crafted link. This would allow arbitrary plugins to be activated without permission.

Q: How easy is it to exploit this Ocean Extra CSRF vulnerability?

How easy is it to exploit this Ocean Extra CSRF vulnerability? This vulnerability could be easily exploited if an attacker can get an admin to visit a page under their control or click a link in an email. No hacking or password cracking is required. The malicious requests ride on the privileges an admin already has to activate plugins.

Q: What is the worst case scenario if my site were attacked using this CSRF in Ocean Extra?

What is the worst case scenario if my site were attacked using this CSRF in Ocean Extra? The worst case would be the activation of backdoors, malware or spam plugins without the admin realizing it. This turns a site into an attack platform to steal data or wage assaults on others. Clean up requires expert intervention most small businesses can’t afford.

Q: Is updating to Ocean Extra version 2.2.3 enough to fully protect my site?

Is updating to Ocean Extra version 2.2.3 enough to fully protect my site? While the 2.2.3 update patches this specific CSRF vulnerability, no single update can guarantee full site security. Additional technical controls, security plugins, active monitoring and updating all software are required to better protect WordPress installs.

Q: What is a nonce and why does nonce validation matter for security?

What is a nonce and why does nonce validation matter for security? A nonce is a “number used once” to verify requests originate from an expected source. It ensures someone or something is who they claim to be. The CSRF vulnerability stems from Ocean Extra not properly checking nonces on admin requests to activate plugins.

Q: Are other OceanWP plugins impacted or just Ocean Extra?

Are other OceanWP plugins impacted or just Ocean Extra? At this time, only Ocean Extra is confirmed vulnerable among OceanWP's plugins. However, constant vigilance is needed as new vulnerabilities can emerge in any software. Keeping all plugins updated is the best defense.

Q: Is there an alternate plugin I can use instead if I lose trust in Ocean Extra due to vulnerabilities?

Is there an alternate plugin I can use instead if I lose trust in Ocean Extra due to vulnerabilities? For header, footer and custom post type functionality, Elementor and Beaver Builder are popular alternatives. Additionally, there are lightweight plugins providing subsets of Ocean Extra's capabilities to mix and match from.

Q: How can I check if any unauthorized plugins were already activated?

How can I check if any unauthorized plugins were already activated? Carefully check your list of Installed Plugins in the WordPress admin. Look for anything unfamiliar that you didn't install. Also google unfamiliar plugins specifically looking for indications of malicious behavior.

Q: Should I expect more vulnerabilities in Ocean Extra or can I continue using it?

Should I expect more vulnerabilities in Ocean Extra or can I continue using it? Ocean Extra has averaged over one vulnerability per year since its release. While the developer issues prompt fixes, this track record means you should remain vigilant and prepared to replace it if new issues emerge.

Q: I don't have time as a small business owner to monitor everything mentioned. What should I do?

I don't have time as a small business owner to monitor everything mentioned. What should I do? Consider partnering with a managed IT services provider specializing in WordPress. They can handle updates, security monitoring, applying protections and responding if any indicators of compromise emerge. This frees you to focus on your business.

By Your WP Guy | November 28, 2023

Plugin Name: Ocean Extra

Key Information:

Software Type: Plugin
Software Slug: ocean-extra
Software Status: Active
Software Author: oceanwp
Software Downloads: 19,047,434
Active Installs: 700,000
Last Updated: November 28, 2023
Patched Versions: 2.2.3
Affected Versions: <= 2.2.2

Vulnerability Details:

Name: Ocean Extra <= 2.2.2 - Cross-Site Request Forgery to Arbitrary Plugin Activation
Title: Cross-Site Request Forgery to Arbitrary Plugin Activation
Type: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
CVSS Score: 4.3 (Medium)
Publicly Published: November 28, 2023
Description: The Ocean Extra plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 2.2.2. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the ajax_required_plugins_activate() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to activate arbitrary plugins via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.

Summary:

The Ocean Extra plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 2.2.2 that allows unauthenticated attackers to activate arbitrary plugins via a forged request. This vulnerability has been patched in version 2.2.3.

Detailed Overview:

This is a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability where the ajax_required_plugins_activate() function does not properly validate nonces. By forging requests, an attacker could trick an administrator into clicking a link that activates unwanted plugins. This could lead to further exploitation if malicious plugins are activated.

Advice for Users:

Immediate Action: Update to version 2.2.3 or higher to patch this vulnerability.
Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Review your active plugins and check for anything suspicious that may have been activated without your consent.
Alternate Plugins: Consider alternate plugins that provide similar functionality if you have concerns about this plugin.
Stay Updated: Always keep your WordPress plugins updated to avoid vulnerabilities.

Conclusion:

The prompt response from the developers to patch this CSRF vulnerability is appreciated. Users should update as soon as possible to Ocean Extra version 2.2.3 or higher. Staying updated on plugins is key to securing WordPress sites.

References:

https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/wordpress-plugins/ocean-extra

https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/wordpress-plugins/ocean-extra/ocean-extra-222-cross-site-request-forgery-to-arbitrary-plugin-activation

Detailed Report:

Keeping your WordPress website up-to-date is critical for security. Unfortunately, the popular Ocean Extra plugin has a concerning vulnerability that puts over 700,000 websites at risk. In this post, we’ll provide the details around this vulnerability, steps you can take, and our assistance for any security concerns about your site.

About the Ocean Extra Plugin

The Ocean Extra plugin powers useful features like header and footer builders and custom post types. It's actively maintained and has over 19 million downloads and 700,000 active installs.

The Vulnerability Explained

In any Ocean Extra version up to and including 2.2.2, there is a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability. In non-technical terms, this means an attacker could potentially activate unwanted plugins without permission.

This is extremely troubling. If malicious plugins were activated, they could steal data, modify content or cause other types of harm. Even if you have no enemies, attacks happen automatically so sites can be unwittingly weaponized.

Risks and Potential Impacts

A successful CSRF attack leading to unauthorized plugin activation opens the door for all kinds of exploitation. Sensitive data could be stolen, content altered or deleted, spam injected, and more.

Even if no visible changes occur right away, your site could be used as an attack platform against others. Cleaning up these vulnerabilities requires IT expertise many small business owners lack.

How to Remediate

Updating Ocean Extra by installing version 2.2.3 prevents this attack vector. But more broadly, staying on top of all plugin and WordPress core updates improves security and prevents vulnerabilities from being exploited before patches are available.

Past Vulnerabilities

This is far from the first vulnerability found in Ocean Extra. There have been 9 previous publicly disclosed vulnerabilities since July 2019. This reinforces the need to stay updated or consider alternate plugins.

Importance of Staying Updated

Staying on top of updates for plugins like Ocean Extra is tedious but critical for security. If you don't have the capacity as a small business owner, work with a managed IT services provider to handle this vital task for you.

If you use Ocean Extra and are concerned about this vulnerability or just want a second opinion on the security of your site, please reach out. We offer complimentary website audits and can advise on additional ways to lock down your site. The web can be a dangerous place but with the right preparation, your site and visitors remain protected.

Don't tackle WordPress security alone - the consequences of a breach are too great. At Your WP Guy, our managed WordPress maintenance services include layers of protection like auto-updates, malware scanning, firewalls and 24/7 monitoring by WordPress experts. We become your outsourced IT team.

Let's chat about migrating your site to our managed hosting so you can finally stop worrying about security issues. We'll fully audit and lock down your site as part of onboarding. Call us at 678-995-5169 to keep your business safe online.