This threat involves attackers injecting malicious code into the footer.php file of WordPress themes. The injected code defines a function named r2048, which dynamically retrieves a URL from a remote server using PHP functions such as cURL or file_get_contents. This URL is then used to redirect visitors of the compromised WordPress site to potentially malicious or unwanted destinations. The injection is stealthy, as it does not appear in the WordPress dashboard, making detection by standard administrative interfaces difficult. The use of dynamic URL retrieval allows attackers to tailor redirection targets based on visitor attributes such as browser type or device, increasing the effectiveness and evasiveness of the attack. This attack vector exploits unauthorized file modifications, likely achieved through compromised FTP or SSH credentials or vulnerabilities in the hosting environment. The campaign highlights the importance of securing access credentials and performing regular audits of theme and plugin files to detect unauthorized changes. Although no specific WordPress versions are identified as affected, the attack targets the common footer.php theme file, which is present in most WordPress themes, indicating a broad potential impact. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests this is a newly observed campaign, but the technique aligns with known web compromise tactics used to hijack site visitors for phishing, malware distribution, or ad fraud.

For European organizations, this threat can lead to significant reputational damage and loss of user trust if visitors are redirected to malicious or inappropriate content. It can also result in indirect financial losses due to decreased website traffic and potential blacklisting by search engines or security services. Organizations relying on WordPress for their web presence, including SMEs, public institutions, and e-commerce platforms, are at risk. The stealthy nature of the injection complicates detection and remediation, potentially allowing prolonged exposure. Additionally, redirected visitors may be exposed to malware, phishing, or other secondary attacks, increasing the risk of broader compromise. Compliance with European data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) may be impacted if user data is collected or misused through redirected sites, exposing organizations to legal and financial penalties. The dynamic redirection capability also allows attackers to evade traditional security controls by serving different payloads based on visitor characteristics, complicating incident response efforts.

1. Implement strict access controls for FTP, SSH, and hosting control panels, including enforcing strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized file modifications. 2. Conduct regular automated and manual audits of WordPress theme and plugin files, focusing on critical files such as footer.php, to detect unauthorized code injections. 3. Employ file integrity monitoring solutions that alert administrators to unexpected changes in website files. 4. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block suspicious outbound requests, such as those to unknown or suspicious domains like youtubesave.org. 5. Restrict PHP functions like cURL and file_get_contents where possible or monitor their usage to detect anomalous behavior. 6. Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated to minimize vulnerabilities that could facilitate initial compromise. 7. Educate site administrators on secure credential management and the risks of using outdated or pirated themes and plugins. 8. Implement logging and monitoring to detect unusual website behavior, including unexpected redirects or traffic patterns. 9. Consider deploying Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the domains to which browsers can be redirected or from which scripts can be loaded. 10. In case of compromise, restore affected files from known good backups and rotate all access credentials.