Late in November 2024, a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in WordPress plugin called Really Simple Security (formerly Really Simple SSL) was found, affecting both the free and Pro versions. This plugin has been installed on over four million websites for providing SSL configuration, login protection, two factor authentication (2FA) and real time vulnerability detection. This alarming vulnerability highlights why website maintenance services are essential to keeping your business safe online.
Understanding about the Vulnerability
As well as being one of the most serious vulnerabilities in Wordfence’s 12 year history, this flaw (CVE-2024-10924) is also one of many botnet vulnerabilities that can be exploited to gain root access to vulnerable servers. It is a remote attackers’ way to get full administrator access to the affected websites. What’s even more worrying is that attackers can launch this attack in bulk using automated scripts, making it possible for the attackers to seize many websites at once.
The problem lies in an improper treatment of user authentication in the two-factor REST API actions in the plugin. If the value of a particular security parameter such as 'login_nonce' is invalid, instead of rejecting the login request, the system authenticates users using just their user ID. As such, this effectively by passes your entire authentication process and grants unauthorized users administrative control of your site. The problem impacts versions 9.0.0 to 9.1.1.1 of the plugin and affects sites where two factor authentication is enabled most.
This issue has since been patched in 9.1.2 but the developers estimate that more than 3.5 million of websites still remain vulnerable due to many users not updating the plugin or turning off their auto updates.
Why Small Businesses are in Danger of Failure
This is a huge vulnerability for small business owners. Cyberattacks can result in:
- Revenue Loss: There is direct impact to your sales of downtime and data breaches.
- Reputation Damage: A hacked website can damage your brand’s reputation, and ruin your brand’s customer trust.
- Compliance Issues: A data breach in your industry can be costly – in the form of regulatory penalties.
Hackers usually have a target in mind, and small businesses are often easy targets because they aren’t likely to have a dedicated IT team, or a strong security protocol in place. This is why routine website maintenance services are crucial, especially for small businesses not just for preventing such vulnerabilities but also for ensuring your website is running efficiently and securely.
How Our Website Maintenance Services Protect You
Aarav Infotech is an award-winning wordpress service provider. We offer comprehensive website maintenance services designed to safeguard your site from all vulnerabilities like the above mentioned CVE-2024-10924 flaw. Here’s how we can help:
- Regular Patching or Security Updates
We regularly update all our plugins, themes and all core files to keep you safe from the latest vulnerabilities.
- Malware Scanning — 24/7 Monitoring
Our monitoring is continuous round the clock to prevent and detect security threats before they become serious issues.
- Backup and Recovery Solutions
With an attack on your site, our automated backup system ensures that we quickly restore your website back to a secure state from previous date with small or no downtime.
- SSL Configuration and Two Factor Authentication Management
We take care of and manage the SSL certificates and also have two factor authentication configured properly, preventing any unauthorized access in the first place.
- Manual Audits and Performance Optimization
We ensure to audit your website security regularly to fix any security loopholes and also speed up website providing seamless user experience.
The Cost of Inaction: Don’t Risk Your Business
Without regular website maintenance, however, your website could be the next victim of a cyber-attack. A hacked website is not only more expensive to fix but also can be damaging to your brand and reputation for a long time. Industry data tells us that every minute of website downtime costs businesses an average of $5,600. For small businesses, this can end up being a catastrophic loss.
Investing in our website maintenance services is a proactive way to avoid costly downtime, maintain customer trust, and ensure your business always stays online and secure.
Take Action Today to Secure Your Website
Don’t wait for a disaster to happen. Protect your business with our professional website maintenance services today.
- Subscribe now to keep your website secure, fast, and up to date at an affordable website maintenance cost.
- Contact us today for a customized website maintenance plan that meets your business needs.
- Stay ahead of threats—let us manage your website’s security while you focus on growing your business.
By investing in professional website maintenance services, you ensure your website remains safe, your business stays operational, and your customers continue to trust your brand. Aarav Infotech is your one stop partner for digital security and performance.
Written by: Jitendra Raulo
Jitendra Raulo is the Founding Director at Aarav Infotech India Pvt. Ltd., a leading Web Design and Digital Marketing Company with 11+ years of experience and having headquarter in Mumbai, India, and Support Centre at Bhubaneswar, India, he is actively working with Start-ups, SMEs and Corporations utilizing technology to provide business transformation solution.
