How to remediate – WordPress Plugins Detected

1. Introduction

WordPress Plugins Detected is an informational notice indicating that one or more WordPress plugins are installed on a system. This matters because plugins can introduce vulnerabilities if they are outdated, poorly coded, or maliciously designed. Systems commonly affected are web servers running the WordPress content management system (CMS). A likely impact of vulnerable plugins could be compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability through website defacement, data theft, or denial of service.

2. Technical Explanation

The vulnerability lies in the use of third-party code within a core web application. Plugins extend WordPress functionality but can introduce security weaknesses if not properly maintained. Exploitation typically occurs via remote code execution through plugin vulnerabilities. A common scenario involves an attacker exploiting a flaw in a vulnerable plugin to gain control of the website or server.

• Root cause: The scanner detected installed plugins, which represent potential attack vectors due to their third-party nature and varying security standards.
• Exploit mechanism: An attacker could upload a malicious plugin or exploit an existing one through publicly known vulnerabilities. This might involve sending crafted requests to the WordPress site that trigger the vulnerability in the plugin code.
• Scope: Any web server running WordPress with installed plugins is potentially affected. Specific versions depend on the individual plugin’s release history and associated security updates.

3. Detection and Assessment

You can confirm whether a system has WordPress plugins installed by checking the plugins directory or using a scanner. A quick check involves listing files in the wp-content/plugins folder. A thorough method is to use a vulnerability scanner that specifically identifies WordPress plugins and their versions.

• Quick checks: List the contents of the plugins directory using the command ls -l /var/www/wordpress/wp-content/plugins (adjust path as needed).
• Scanning: Nessus plugin ID 10429, OpenVAS NVTs related to WordPress plugins. These are examples only and may require updates.
• Logs and evidence: Check web server access logs for requests targeting common plugin files or directories. Look for unusual activity associated with plugin uploads or modifications.

ls -l /var/www/wordpress/wp-content/plugins

4. Solution / Remediation Steps

To fix this issue, ensure all WordPress plugins are up to date and regularly monitored for vulnerabilities. This involves reviewing installed plugins, updating them to the latest versions, and removing any unused or unnecessary plugins.

4.1 Preparation

• Ensure you have administrator access to the WordPress installation. A roll back plan involves restoring from the backup taken in step 1.
• Changes should be scheduled during off-peak hours with approval from the IT manager.

4.2 Implementation

1. Step 1: Log into your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Step 2: Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
3. Step 3: Check for available updates and update all plugins to their latest versions.
4. Step 4: Remove any unused or unnecessary plugins.

4.3 Config or Code Example

Before

//Example of an outdated plugin in WordPress admin dashboard
Plugin Name: Vulnerable Plugin 1.0

After

//Example of an updated plugin in WordPress admin dashboard
Plugin Name: Vulnerable Plugin 2.5

4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability

Several security practices can help prevent issues related to WordPress plugins. Least privilege limits the impact if a plugin is compromised. Input validation prevents malicious data from being processed by plugins. A regular patch cadence ensures plugins are updated with the latest security fixes.

• Practice 1: Implement least privilege for WordPress users and file permissions to reduce the potential damage caused by a compromised plugin.
• Practice 2: Regularly review installed plugins and remove any that are no longer needed or supported.

4.5 Automation (Optional)

# Example Bash script to list outdated plugins using WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface)
wp plugin list --status=inactive --format=csv | grep -v "Plugin" > /tmp/outdated_plugins.csv
#Review the file for any plugins that need updating or removal.

5. Verification / Validation

Confirm the fix by checking the WordPress admin dashboard to ensure all plugins are up to date. Re-run the scanner used earlier to verify no vulnerabilities remain. Perform a simple smoke test by accessing key website features to confirm functionality is not affected.

• Post-fix check: Log into your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. Verify that all plugins have an “Update Now” button removed or display the latest version number.
• Re-test: Re-run the vulnerability scan used in step 3 of Detection and Assessment. Confirm no vulnerabilities related to outdated plugins are reported.
• Smoke test: Test key website features such as submitting a contact form, browsing pages, and logging in to ensure functionality is working correctly.
• Monitoring: Monitor web server logs for any unusual activity associated with plugin files or directories. Example query: search access logs for requests targeting wp-content/plugins.

wp plugin list --status=active

6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring

• Baselines: Update security baselines to require all WordPress installations to have automatic plugin updates enabled or be reviewed and updated regularly.
• Pipelines: Integrate a SAST tool into your CI pipeline to scan for vulnerable plugins during development.
• Asset and patch process: Establish a regular schedule for reviewing and updating WordPress plugins, such as weekly or monthly.

7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back

• Risk or side effect 2: A failed update could temporarily break website functionality. Mitigation: Have a backup ready and know how to restore it quickly.

8. References and Resources

• Vendor advisory or bulletin: WordPress Security Updates
• NVD or CVE entry: Search the NVD database for vulnerabilities related to specific WordPress plugins.
• Product or platform documentation relevant to the fix: Updating Plugins – WordPress Codex