WordPress Age Gate Open Redirect Scanner
Detects 'Open Redirect' vulnerability in WordPress Age Gate affects v. <2.13.5.
Short Info
Level
Medium
Single Scan
Single Scan
Can be used by
Asset Owner
Estimated Time
10 seconds
Time Interval
23 days 6 hours
Scan only one
URL
Toolbox
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The WordPress Age Gate plugin is widely used by websites to verify the age of users before allowing them access to certain content. This plugin is particularly popular among websites that need to restrict access to adult or age-sensitive material. It is implemented by website administrators to ensure compliance with legal requirements and to maintain a controlled user experience. Organizations rely on it for its seamless integration with the WordPress platform, providing a reliable age-check mechanism. Additionally, its customization options allow site owners to tailor the plugin to fit their specific requirements. It is an essential tool for maintaining website integrity while controlling the visibility of content based on age criteria.
The vulnerability in question is an open redirect flaw within the WordPress Age Gate plugin, a common issue among web applications. It arises from improper validation of URLs, allowing malicious actors to redirect users to unintended destinations. This can occur when parameters are manipulated to contain arbitrary URLs in the '_wp_http_referer' field. Such vulnerabilities can result in unauthorized data disclosure, phishing, or redirection to malicious sites. Therefore, ensuring URL validation is crucial to prevent unauthorized redirects. Developers and site administrators are advised to patch their systems to mitigate potential risks. Addressing such vulnerabilities is essential for maintaining the trust and security of users.
Technical details of this vulnerability involve the insufficient validation of the '_wp_http_referer' parameter in HTTP requests. Attackers can craft requests that exploit the open redirect vulnerability, potentially sending users to harmful websites. The vulnerability is triggered after certain actions and invalid or missing nonce values, making it exploitable under specific conditions. Administrators need to be aware that such vulnerabilities rely on social engineering to trick users into following malicious links. The endpoint vulnerable to this attack is typically the 'admin-post.php' page of the plugin. Implementing a fix requires updates to ensure robust validation rules are applied to user-supplied data.
Exploitation of this vulnerability could have severe effects. Users might be redirected to phishing sites, leading to credential theft. Data integrity could be compromised if attackers manipulate redirected destinations, potentially executing unauthorized operations. The circulation of malicious links can erode trust in the affected website. Additionally, redirection to harmful sites could lead to malware infections, posing further security threats to users' devices. Organizations could face reputational damage and legal repercussions if sensitive data is compromised. Hence, it is vital to address the underlying issue to secure the user base and the associated data effectively.
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