In a recent examination of the “CoBlocks” WordPress plugin, a significant Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability was uncovered, posing a serious security threat to websites utilizing this plugin. This finding underscores the crucial importance of rigorous security protocols in plugin development and maintenance.
| CVE | CVE-2024-4260 |
| Plugin | CoBlocks < 3.1.12 |
| Critical | High |
| All Time | 22 052 272 |
| Active installations | 400 000+ |
| Publicly Published | June 27, 2024 |
| Last Updated | June 27, 2024 |
| Researcher | Dmtirii Ignatyev |
| OWASP TOP-10 | A1: Injection |
| PoC | Yes |
| Exploit | No |
| Reference | https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-4260 https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/69f33e20-8ff4-491c-8f37-a4eadd4ea8cf/ |
| Plugin Security Certification by CleanTalk |  |
| Logo of the plugin |  |
Timeline
| April 18, 2024 | Plugin testing and vulnerability detection in the CoBlocks have been completed |
| April 18, 2024 | I contacted the author of the plugin and provided a vulnerability PoC with a description and recommendations for fixing |
| June 27, 2024 | Registered CVE-2024-4260 |
Discovery of the Vulnerability
The SSRF vulnerability in CoBlocks was unearthed during routine security testing aimed at scrutinizing the robustness of the plugin against external threats. This particular flaw allows unauthorized scanning of local ports on the host server, thereby exposing the underlying system to potential malicious activities.
Understanding of Stored XSS attack’s
SSRF represents a security flaw where an attacker induces the server to make requests to internal resources, often leading to information disclosure or interaction with unprotected services within the network. In WordPress environments, where plugins often communicate with various APIs and web services, SSRF can exploit these interactions.
Exploiting the Stored XSS Vulnerability
The exploitation of this vulnerability in CoBlocks is disturbingly straightforward. An attacker simply needs to insert a specially crafted URL into the “Events” block of the plugin. If the response to this URL is an error, it indicates a closed port; an empty response screen, however, suggests an open port, thereby confirming the vulnerability.
POC:
You should create a new block and add here “Events” block. Put inside http://127.0.0.1:XXXX/. If an error appears after clicking the “Use URL” button, it means that the port is closed, and if there is an empty screen, then the port is open
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The risks associated with this vulnerability are significant. By leveraging this SSRF flaw, attackers could potentially map out the internal network of the hosting server, identifying live services and their ports. This information could be used for further attacks, including but not limited to, data breaches and denial-of-service attacks.
Recommendations for Improved Security
To mitigate this threat and enhance security:
- Update Promptly: Users should immediately update to the latest version of the plugin, which presumably contains patches for the vulnerability.
- Sanitization and Validation: Developers must ensure all user inputs are adequately sanitized and validated on both the client and server sides.
- Regular Audits: Regular security audits and penetration tests should be conducted to detect and rectify similar vulnerabilities.
- User Permissions: Limit the ability of users to insert HTML or JavaScript content within sensitive fields unless absolutely necessary.
By taking proactive measures to address SSRF vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-4260, WordPress website owners can enhance their security posture and safeguard against potential exploitation. Stay vigilant, stay secure.
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