The maintainers of the popular WordPress plugin, Jetpack, have released a critical security update addressing a vulnerability that could have allowed logged-in users to access forms submitted by others on a website. This vulnerability, discovered during an internal security audit, has persisted since version 3.9.9, released in 2016.
Jetpack, developed by Automattic, the company behind WordPress, is a widely used plugin offering a suite of tools for website security, performance, and traffic growth. With over 27 million WordPress sites using Jetpack, this vulnerability posed a significant risk.
The vulnerability lies within the Contact Form feature of Jetpack, potentially allowing any logged-in user on a site to access and view forms submitted by website visitors. This could have serious consequences for user privacy and data security.
Jetpack, working in collaboration with the WordPress.org Security Team, has proactively addressed the vulnerability by automatically updating the plugin to a secure version on all installed sites. The update addresses the issue across a vast range of Jetpack versions, from 3.9.10 to the latest versions.
While no evidence suggests the vulnerability was exploited in the wild, the potential for malicious actors to take advantage of it after its public disclosure remains a concern. This situation highlights the importance of regular security updates and vigilance in maintaining website security.
This recent security update follows a similar fix for another critical flaw in Jetpack in June 2023. This earlier vulnerability, also dating back to 2012, was addressed in a similar automatic update. The frequency of these critical vulnerabilities raises questions about the thoroughness of security practices and the need for improved testing procedures within the Jetpack development process.
These events further highlight a growing tension between Automattic and WP Engine, a prominent WordPress hosting provider. The dispute escalated when WordPress.org took control of WP Engine's Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin, creating a fork called Secure Custom Fields.
This move was justified by WordPress.org due to security concerns and the presence of commercial upsells within the original ACF plugin. WordPress.org implemented a security fix in Secure Custom Fields addressing a vulnerability related to the $_REQUEST variable. The exact nature of the vulnerability was not disclosed publicly, but it underscores the ongoing commitment by WordPress.org to maintain a secure WordPress ecosystem.
WP Engine responded to the move by claiming that WordPress had taken control of the ACF plugin without consent. However, WordPress.org countered that this has happened previously and that they reserve the right to disable, remove, or modify plugins without developer consent when it is deemed necessary for public safety.
This ongoing dispute highlights the complex relationship between plugin developers, hosting providers, and the WordPress community. While both sides advocate for the security of the platform, the disagreement emphasizes the need for clear communication, transparency, and a collaborative approach to address vulnerabilities and maintain a healthy WordPress ecosystem.
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