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WordPress, the popular content management system, has released it is latest update, version 6.4.2, to patch a critical security vulnerability. This flaw, if exploited in combination with another bug, this bug could allow the attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on affected sites, posing a very serious danger to website security.
The Critical Vulnerability in Detail
The vulnerability addressed in this update lies in the WP_HTML_Token class, introduced in WordPress 6.4 to enhance HTML parsing in the block editor. According to Wordfence, a WordPress security company, this flaw can be rooted in a PHP object injection vulnerability in any other plugin or theme. This could lead to severe consequences, such as file deletion, data theft, or unauthorized code execution on the targeted site.
Importance of Updating to WordPress 6.4.2
Patchstack, another security firm, highlighted that an exploitation chain for this vulnerability is already available on GitHub as part of the PHP Generic Gadget Chains (PHPGGC) project. This raises the urgency for WordPress site owners to update their systems to the latest version to protect against potential attacks.
Advice for Developers
Developers are advised to review their projects for any calls to the unserialize function and consider replacing it with safer alternatives like JSON encoding/decoding using PHP's json_encode and json_decode functions. This recommendation comes from Dave Jong, CTO of Patchstack, emphasizing the importance of proactive security measures in web development.
Staying Informed and Protected
WordPress users are encouraged to follow trusted cybersecurity news platforms for updates and insights into protecting their websites. Regular updates and adherence to recommended security practices are key to maintaining the integrity and safety of online platforms.
