Upgrade Wordpress to 2.8.4 - Security Threat

Patrician · 5th Sep 2009, 12:07 AM

Don't know if you guys saw this in the main forum or not, but in speaking to my host it is a serious security threat. GO AND UPGRADE ANY VERSION PRIOR TO 2.8.4

Host4Profit has some security in place and has not seen any actual hacks, but did find some attempts. Better safe than sorry -

Jeff Houdyshell might* help you if you can't do it yourself. (for a fee)
http://www.wordpressmax.com/

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...p_referer.html

Leads to explanation
Wordpress MySQL Injection - Permalink hack %&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]

Here is another report of a previous attack.

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...-code-url.html

From Wordpress.org

WordPress 2.8.4: Security Release

Posted August 12, 2009 by Matt. Filed under Releases, Security.
Yesterday a vulnerability was discovered: a specially crafted URL could be requested that would allow an attacker to bypass a security check to verify a user requested a password reset. As a result, the first account without a key in the database (usually the admin account) would have its password reset and a new password would be emailed to the account owner. This doesn’t allow remote access, but it is very annoying.
We fixed this problem last night and have been testing the fixes and looking for other problems since then. Version 2.8.4 which fixes all known problems is now available for download and is highly recommended for all users of WordPress.

GT · 5th Sep 2009, 12:05 PM

Hi, Patricia:

I don't have a WordPress blog (yet), but thanks for posting updates like these, whether WordPress or whatever. It's good to keep each other informed just in case we miss something posted elsewhere.

GT

Alan Mater · 5th Sep 2009, 12:30 PM

Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Pat.

I've been putting off updating my blogs, but after reading this I'm going to go ahead and do it. I'm in the process of backing everything up now.

Thanks!

Graham Maddison · 5th Sep 2009, 01:36 PM

Thanks Pat,

after reading your alert, I have now successfully updated all of my blogs (5 of em).

I really appreciate the advice.

Graham

Alan Mater · 5th Sep 2009, 01:42 PM

I've now upgraded both of my blogs successfully.

xtreme newbie · 5th Sep 2009, 03:18 PM

Saw this alert on Facebook where a friend posted this from Mashable: WordPress Attack Underway: WordPress Users Must Upgrade [ALERT] - WordPress Attack Underway: WordPress Users Must Upgrade [ALERT]

I just upgraded 12 blogs. Luckily no problems but that was too close a call. Whew!! From now on I'm going to stay current on my Wordpress upgrades.

Hope everyone at the forum sees this thread.

warriortx · 5th Sep 2009, 04:01 PM

Thanks for the heads up because I didn't know

houdy · 5th Sep 2009, 05:43 PM

Always backup the database and the wp-content folder before an upgrade. In fact you should have a backup strategy. I have never needed a backup personally but have had many people contact me with lost blogs who didn't.

Backup the database on H4P:
Backup WordPress Database

This will show you how to backup the wp-content folder and more:
Scheduled Backup Of Your WordPress Blog

houdy · 11th Sep 2009, 05:39 AM

Satya if you are not seeing a warning on the upper area of the WordPress dashboard then you have the latest version and don't need to upgrade. When you login to the main dashboard you should see what version you are using and the latest right now on 9/10/09 is WordPress 2.8.4

landon · 13th Oct 2009, 01:30 PM

Hi Everyone I just saw the threat about upgrading our wordpress blogs. But how do you do that? Don't you have to backup the blog posts first? I have never done that before, how serious is the threat? Thanks Dianne

Stephen Meyer · 13th Oct 2009, 01:34 PM

On you back office left column look for "upgrade". Click that and it will tell you if you need to. If you do just click upgrade from there and select automatic. It will do it for you.

Originally Posted by landon

Hi Everyone I just saw the threat about upgrading our wordpress blogs. But how do you do that? Don't you have to backup the blog posts first? I have never done that before, how serious is the threat? Thanks Dianne

5th Sep 2009, 12:07 AM	#1
Patrician OffTheWallflowerChild War Room Member Join Date: 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2,776 Thanks: 6,161 Thanked 2,625 Times in 1,763 Posts	Upgrade Wordpress to 2.8.4 - Security Threat Share on: Don't know if you guys saw this in the main forum or not, but in speaking to my host it is a serious security threat. GO AND UPGRADE ANY VERSION PRIOR TO 2.8.4 Host4Profit has some security in place and has not seen any actual hacks, but did find some attempts. Better safe than sorry - Jeff Houdyshell might* help you if you can't do it yourself. (for a fee) http://www.wordpressmax.com/ http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...p_referer.html Leads to explanation Wordpress MySQL Injection - Permalink hack %&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER] Here is another report of a previous attack. http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...-code-url.html From Wordpress.org WordPress 2.8.4: Security Release Posted August 12, 2009 by Matt. Filed under Releases, Security. Yesterday a vulnerability was discovered: a specially crafted URL could be requested that would allow an attacker to bypass a security check to verify a user requested a password reset. As a result, the first account without a key in the database (usually the admin account) would have its password reset and a new password would be emailed to the account owner. This doesn’t allow remote access, but it is very annoying. We fixed this problem last night and have been testing the fixes and looking for other problems since then. Version 2.8.4 which fixes all known problems is now available for download and is highly recommended for all users of WordPress.
	Patricia Brucoli Plug-In Profit Site Helpdesk

5th Sep 2009, 12:05 PM	#2
GT VIP Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2007 Location: Northern Alberta , Canada. Posts: 1,888 Thanks: 2,392 Thanked 600 Times in 415 Posts Blog Entries: 357	Re: Upgrade Wordpress to 2.8.4 - Security Threat Share on: Hi, Patricia: I don't have a WordPress blog (yet), but thanks for posting updates like these, whether WordPress or whatever. It's good to keep each other informed just in case we miss something posted elsewhere. GT
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5th Sep 2009, 12:30 PM	#3
Alan Mater Freelance Proofreader War Room Member Join Date: 2008 Location: Pennsylvania, US Posts: 1,564 Thanks: 55 Thanked 154 Times in 135 Posts Blog Entries: 2	Re: Upgrade Wordpress to 2.8.4 - Security Threat Share on: Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Pat. I've been putting off updating my blogs, but after reading this I'm going to go ahead and do it. I'm in the process of backing everything up now. Thanks!
	AshMax - Earn $22,300 per month 100 days from now Work From Home Opportunities \| Legitimate Work From Home Jobs Professional Proofreading and Editing Services Work From Home Resources Blog

5th Sep 2009, 01:36 PM	#4
Graham Maddison Graham Maddison War Room Member Join Date: 2008 Location: Khon kaen, Thailand Posts: 1,337 Thanks: 346 Thanked 318 Times in 192 Posts	Re: Upgrade Wordpress to 2.8.4 - Security Threat Share on: Thanks Pat, after reading your alert, I have now successfully updated all of my blogs (5 of em). I really appreciate the advice. Graham
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5th Sep 2009, 01:42 PM	#5
Alan Mater Freelance Proofreader War Room Member Join Date: 2008 Location: Pennsylvania, US Posts: 1,564 Thanks: 55 Thanked 154 Times in 135 Posts Blog Entries: 2	Re: Upgrade Wordpress to 2.8.4 - Security Threat Share on: I've now upgraded both of my blogs successfully.
	AshMax - Earn $22,300 per month 100 days from now Work From Home Opportunities \| Legitimate Work From Home Jobs Professional Proofreading and Editing Services Work From Home Resources Blog

5th Sep 2009, 03:18 PM	#6
xtreme newbie HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 114 Thanks: 63 Thanked 24 Times in 24 Posts	Re: Upgrade Wordpress to 2.8.4 - Security Threat Share on: Saw this alert on Facebook where a friend posted this from Mashable: WordPress Attack Underway: WordPress Users Must Upgrade [ALERT] - WordPress Attack Underway: WordPress Users Must Upgrade [ALERT] I just upgraded 12 blogs. Luckily no problems but that was too close a call. Whew!! From now on I'm going to stay current on my Wordpress upgrades. Hope everyone at the forum sees this thread.
	Color Me Social Techie sisterpreneurs helping time and tech challenged small business owners use social media and other online tools for growth and profit.

5th Sep 2009, 04:01 PM	#7
warriortx Call Room Guy War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 1,851 Thanks: 32 Thanked 390 Times in 111 Posts Blog Entries: 6	Re: Upgrade Wordpress to 2.8.4 - Security Threat Share on: Thanks for the heads up because I didn't know
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5th Sep 2009, 05:43 PM	#8
houdy HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2006 Location: The Midwest Posts: 210 Thanks: 1 Thanked 60 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Upgrade Wordpress to 2.8.4 - Security Threat Share on: Always backup the database and the wp-content folder before an upgrade. In fact you should have a backup strategy. I have never needed a backup personally but have had many people contact me with lost blogs who didn't. Backup the database on H4P: Backup WordPress Database This will show you how to backup the wp-content folder and more: Scheduled Backup Of Your WordPress Blog
	Jeff Houdyschell WordPress Guides \| WordPress Installation Work At Home Business Blog \| Proven Income Opportunities \| Best Work At Home Jobs

11th Sep 2009, 05:39 AM	#9
houdy HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2006 Location: The Midwest Posts: 210 Thanks: 1 Thanked 60 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Upgrade Wordpress to 2.8.4 - Security Threat Share on: Satya if you are not seeing a warning on the upper area of the WordPress dashboard then you have the latest version and don't need to upgrade. When you login to the main dashboard you should see what version you are using and the latest right now on 9/10/09 is WordPress 2.8.4
	Jeff Houdyschell WordPress Guides \| WordPress Installation Work At Home Business Blog \| Proven Income Opportunities \| Best Work At Home Jobs

13th Oct 2009, 01:30 PM	#10
landon Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2008 Location: , , .Greenville NC Posts: 75 Thanks: 86 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	How Do I upgrade my Wordpress Blog Share on: Hi Everyone I just saw the threat about upgrading our wordpress blogs. But how do you do that? Don't you have to backup the blog posts first? I have never done that before, how serious is the threat? Thanks Dianne
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