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3rd Party Elementor Plugins Vulnerability Affects +1 Million

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Three Vulnerabilities Fixed by Brainstorm Force in March 2021

This is a list of three separate exploits related to their Elementor Plugins that Brainstorm Force fixed in March 2021:

  • Version 1.30.0 – Fixed – March 30, 2021
    Hardened allowed options in the editor to enforce better security policies.
  • Version 4.1.7 – Important Update 09 Mar 2021
    Vulnerability fixed – Final Patch
  • Version 4.1.6 – Important Update 08 Mar 2021
    Vulnerability fixed – Registration Widget

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Brainstorm Force Elementor Plugin Vulnerabilities

The publishers of the Ultimate Addons for Elementor plugin notified customers of a vulnerability affecting two of their plugins.  This is the third time this year that Brainstorm Force has released an update to fix vulnerabilities in the Elementor Plugins that they publish.

The two affected plugins are addons for the popular Elementor page builder plugin. Addons are third party plugins that extend the functionality and features of the Elementor Page Builder plugin.

The addon plugins with vulnerabilities are published by a third party, Brainstorm Force.

The affected plugins for Elementor are:

  • Ultimate Addons for Elementor
  • Elementor – Header, Footer & Blocks Template

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An email sent by Brainstorm Force noted that they were notified of the vulnerabilities by the Wordfence security team and that they responded within hours.

According to the email:

“In each of these updates, we’ve fixed a vulnerability reported to use by the team at Wordfence.

These are very similar to the ones that the Elementor team recently fixed in their version 3.1.2.”

Screenshot of Brainstorm Force Email

Screenshot of Brainstorm Force email

Screenshot of Brainstorm Force email

The Elementor vulnerability that Brainstorm Force referenced is known as a Stored Cross-site Scripting Vulnerability, one that had the possibility of enabling malicious hackers to stage a full site takeover.

(Read: WordPress Elementor Vulnerability Affects +7 Million)

Stored Cross-site Scripting Vulnerability

Brainstorm Force did not explicitly say that the exploit patched was a Stored Cross-site Scripting Vulnerability. They only compared the fixed exploit to one that was patched by the Elementor page builder software.

A Stored Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability is one in which a malicious script is uploaded directly to the website. This kind of vulnerability is generally considered to be more serious than another kind of cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability called a Reflected XSS that depends on a link being clicked.

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With a Stored XSS Vulnerability there is no need for a link to be clicked, the vulnerability exists on the affected website.

Wordfence Has Not Released Details

Wordfence has not released details of the vulnerability. As of this date, the only description of the vulnerability has been provided by Brainstorm Force as being similar to the Elementor page builder vulnerability.

But Brainstorm Force did not explicitly state that their plugin vulnerabilities are Stored XSS exploits. Only that they were similar to the Elementor vulnerability that was an XSS vulnerability.

Fixed Versions of Elementor Addons

The Elementor – Header, Footer & Blocks Template

The Elementor – Header, Footer & Blocks Template was patched on March 31, 2021 to version 1.5.8.

According to the changelog that documents what the updates contain, this update hardened it against a vulnerability.

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This is what the changelog documented: 

“1.5.8
Fix: Hardened allowed options in the editor to enforce better security policies.”

The fact that the editor needed hardening gives a clue that suggests that the vulnerability may be one that requires that a hacker have subscriber level privileges.

But this is not yet been officially confirmed at this time.

Ultimate Addons for Elementor

The Ultimate Addons for Elementor plugin was also patched on March 31, 2021 to version 1.30.0.

The reason given as to what was fixed is exactly the same as for the Elementor – Header, Footer & Blocks Template.

According to the Ultimate Addons for Elementor changelog:

“Hardened allowed options in the editor to enforce better security policies.”

Update Immediately

It is highly recommended that all publishers using these two plugins update their versions immediately.

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The latest patched versions of the software are:

  • The Elementor – Header, Footer & Blocks Template 1.5.8
  • Ultimate Addons for Elementor 1.30.0

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NEWS

OpenAI Introduces Fine-Tuning for GPT-4 and Enabling Customized AI Models

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OpenAI Introduces Fine-Tuning for GPT-4 and Enabling Customized AI Models

OpenAI has today announced the release of fine-tuning capabilities for its flagship GPT-4 large language model, marking a significant milestone in the AI landscape. This new functionality empowers developers to create tailored versions of GPT-4 to suit specialized use cases, enhancing the model’s utility across various industries.

Fine-tuning has long been a desired feature for developers who require more control over AI behavior, and with this update, OpenAI delivers on that demand. The ability to fine-tune GPT-4 allows businesses and developers to refine the model’s responses to better align with specific requirements, whether for customer service, content generation, technical support, or other unique applications.

Why Fine-Tuning Matters

GPT-4 is a very flexible model that can handle many different tasks. However, some businesses and developers need more specialized AI that matches their specific language, style, and needs. Fine-tuning helps with this by letting them adjust GPT-4 using custom data. For example, companies can train a fine-tuned model to keep a consistent brand tone or focus on industry-specific language.

Fine-tuning also offers improvements in areas like response accuracy and context comprehension. For use cases where nuanced understanding or specialized knowledge is crucial, this can be a game-changer. Models can be taught to better grasp intricate details, improving their effectiveness in sectors such as legal analysis, medical advice, or technical writing.

Key Features of GPT-4 Fine-Tuning

The fine-tuning process leverages OpenAI’s established tools, but now it is optimized for GPT-4’s advanced architecture. Notable features include:

  • Enhanced Customization: Developers can precisely influence the model’s behavior and knowledge base.
  • Consistency in Output: Fine-tuned models can be made to maintain consistent formatting, tone, or responses, essential for professional applications.
  • Higher Efficiency: Compared to training models from scratch, fine-tuning GPT-4 allows organizations to deploy sophisticated AI with reduced time and computational cost.

Additionally, OpenAI has emphasized ease of use with this feature. The fine-tuning workflow is designed to be accessible even to teams with limited AI experience, reducing barriers to customization. For more advanced users, OpenAI provides granular control options to achieve highly specialized outputs.

Implications for the Future

The launch of fine-tuning capabilities for GPT-4 signals a broader shift toward more user-centric AI development. As businesses increasingly adopt AI, the demand for models that can cater to specific business needs, without compromising on performance, will continue to grow. OpenAI’s move positions GPT-4 as a flexible and adaptable tool that can be refined to deliver optimal value in any given scenario.

By offering fine-tuning, OpenAI not only enhances GPT-4’s appeal but also reinforces the model’s role as a leading AI solution across diverse sectors. From startups seeking to automate niche tasks to large enterprises looking to scale intelligent systems, GPT-4’s fine-tuning capability provides a powerful resource for driving innovation.

OpenAI announced that fine-tuning GPT-4o will cost $25 for every million tokens used during training. After the model is set up, it will cost $3.75 per million input tokens and $15 per million output tokens. To help developers get started, OpenAI is offering 1 million free training tokens per day for GPT-4o and 2 million free tokens per day for GPT-4o mini until September 23. This makes it easier for developers to try out the fine-tuning service.

As AI continues to evolve, OpenAI’s focus on customization and adaptability with GPT-4 represents a critical step in making advanced AI accessible, scalable, and more aligned with real-world applications. This new capability is expected to accelerate the adoption of AI across industries, creating a new wave of AI-driven solutions tailored to specific challenges and opportunities.

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GOOGLE

This Week in Search News: Simple and Easy-to-Read Update

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This Week in Search News: Simple and Easy-to-Read Update

Here’s what happened in the world of Google and search engines this week:

1. Google’s June 2024 Spam Update

Google finished rolling out its June 2024 spam update over a period of seven days. This update aims to reduce spammy content in search results.

2. Changes to Google Search Interface

Google has removed the continuous scroll feature for search results. Instead, it’s back to the old system of pages.

3. New Features and Tests

  • Link Cards: Google is testing link cards at the top of AI-generated overviews.
  • Health Overviews: There are more AI-generated health overviews showing up in search results.
  • Local Panels: Google is testing AI overviews in local information panels.

4. Search Rankings and Quality

  • Improving Rankings: Google said it can improve its search ranking system but will only do so on a large scale.
  • Measuring Quality: Google’s Elizabeth Tucker shared how they measure search quality.

5. Advice for Content Creators

  • Brand Names in Reviews: Google advises not to avoid mentioning brand names in review content.
  • Fixing 404 Pages: Google explained when it’s important to fix 404 error pages.

6. New Search Features in Google Chrome

Google Chrome for mobile devices has added several new search features to enhance user experience.

7. New Tests and Features in Google Search

  • Credit Card Widget: Google is testing a new widget for credit card information in search results.
  • Sliding Search Results: When making a new search query, the results might slide to the right.

8. Bing’s New Feature

Bing is now using AI to write “People Also Ask” questions in search results.

9. Local Search Ranking Factors

Menu items and popular times might be factors that influence local search rankings on Google.

10. Google Ads Updates

  • Query Matching and Brand Controls: Google Ads updated its query matching and brand controls, and advertisers are happy with these changes.
  • Lead Credits: Google will automate lead credits for Local Service Ads. Google says this is a good change, but some advertisers are worried.
  • tROAS Insights Box: Google Ads is testing a new insights box for tROAS (Target Return on Ad Spend) in Performance Max and Standard Shopping campaigns.
  • WordPress Tag Code: There is a new conversion code for Google Ads on WordPress sites.

These updates highlight how Google and other search engines are continuously evolving to improve user experience and provide better advertising tools.

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FACEBOOK

Facebook Faces Yet Another Outage: Platform Encounters Technical Issues Again

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Facebook Problem Again

Uppdated: It seems that today’s issues with Facebook haven’t affected as many users as the last time. A smaller group of people appears to be impacted this time around, which is a relief compared to the larger incident before. Nevertheless, it’s still frustrating for those affected, and hopefully, the issues will be resolved soon by the Facebook team.

Facebook had another problem today (March 20, 2024). According to Downdetector, a website that shows when other websites are not working, many people had trouble using Facebook.

This isn’t the first time Facebook has had issues. Just a little while ago, there was another problem that stopped people from using the site. Today, when people tried to use Facebook, it didn’t work like it should. People couldn’t see their friends’ posts, and sometimes the website wouldn’t even load.

Downdetector, which watches out for problems on websites, showed that lots of people were having trouble with Facebook. People from all over the world said they couldn’t use the site, and they were not happy about it.

When websites like Facebook have problems, it affects a lot of people. It’s not just about not being able to see posts or chat with friends. It can also impact businesses that use Facebook to reach customers.

Since Facebook owns Messenger and Instagram, the problems with Facebook also meant that people had trouble using these apps. It made the situation even more frustrating for many users, who rely on these apps to stay connected with others.

During this recent problem, one thing is obvious: the internet is always changing, and even big websites like Facebook can have problems. While people wait for Facebook to fix the issue, it shows us how easily things online can go wrong. It’s a good reminder that we should have backup plans for staying connected online, just in case something like this happens again.

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