#VU20883 Open redirect in WordPress - CVE-2019-16220

Vulnerability identifier: #VU20883

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 0.5 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2019-16220

CWE-ID: CWE-601

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
WordPress
Web applications / CMS

Vendor: WordPress.ORG

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to redirect victims to arbitrary URL.

The vulnerability exists due to improper sanitization of user-supplied data in the "wp_validate_redirect" in "wp-includes/pluggable.php". A remote attacker can create a link that leads to a trusted website, however, when clicked, redirects the victim to arbitrary domain.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to perform a phishing attack and steal potentially sensitive information.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

WordPress: 5.2.2

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External links
https://wordpress.org/news/2019/09/wordpress-5-2-3-security-and-maintenance-release/
https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/45971
https://github.com/WordPress/WordPress/commit/c86ee39ff4c1a79b93c967eb88522f5c09614a28

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.