CVE-2016-10982 in kento-post-view-counter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The kento-post-view-counter plugin through 2.8 for WordPress has wp-admin/admin.php?page=kentopvc_settings CSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2023
The kento-post-view-counter plugin for WordPress contains a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that affects versions through 2.8. This vulnerability exists in the administrative interface of the plugin where the settings page lacks proper CSRF protection mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352 which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery weaknesses in web applications. The plugin's administrative endpoint at wp-admin/admin.php?page=kentopvc_settings does not implement sufficient anti-CSRF measures to validate that requests originate from legitimate administrative users.
The technical flaw manifests when an authenticated administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link that triggers a request to the vulnerable plugin settings page. Without proper CSRF tokens or referer validation, the malicious site can perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the logged-in administrator. This creates a scenario where an attacker could modify plugin settings, potentially leading to data manipulation or configuration changes that compromise the site's security posture. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the WordPress admin context where elevated privileges are already established.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF flaw could potentially alter the plugin's behavior, inject malicious code, or modify tracking parameters that affect how post views are counted. This could lead to data integrity issues, potential information disclosure, or even serve as a foothold for further attacks within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects the entire WordPress ecosystem where the plugin is installed, making it a significant concern for site administrators who rely on the plugin for post view tracking functionality.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper CSRF protection mechanisms including the use of anti-CSRF tokens that are generated per session and validated on each administrative request. WordPress plugin developers should follow established security practices and implement referer checks or use WordPress's built-in nonce validation systems. Administrators should immediately update to the latest version of the plugin if available, and if not, consider disabling the plugin until a secure version is released. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and the need for web applications to implement comprehensive security controls that align with the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes that may not properly implement CSRF protection mechanisms.