CVE-2017-1002011 in image-gallery-with-slideshow
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in wordpress plugin image-gallery-with-slideshow v1.5.2, There is a stored XSS vulnerability via the $value->gallery_name and $value->gallery_description where anyone with privileges to modify or add galleries/images and inject javascript into the database.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2019
This vulnerability exists within the image-gallery-with-slideshow wordpress plugin version 1.5.2 and represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious javascript code into the database. The vulnerability specifically affects the $value->gallery_name and $value->gallery_description parameters, which are processed without proper input sanitization or output encoding. When administrators or users with gallery modification privileges create or edit gallery entries, the plugin fails to validate or escape user-supplied data before storing it in the database. This creates a persistent threat where malicious scripts can be executed whenever gallery information is rendered on the website, affecting all users who view the vulnerable content. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since any user with the ability to modify galleries or add images can exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where less privileged accounts might be compromised.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper data handling practices within the plugin's backend processing logic. The plugin does not employ adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms when processing user-provided gallery names and descriptions. This failure to sanitize user input creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious javascript payloads that persist in the database. When the gallery information is later retrieved and displayed on the frontend, the stored javascript executes within the context of users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically targeting stored cross-site scripting scenarios where malicious input is stored and later executed without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution and can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise entire wordpress installations. An attacker who successfully injects malicious code can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the database, potentially affecting thousands of users over extended periods. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding practices, as it could be exploited to bypass security controls such as content security policies and browser security mechanisms that typically protect against reflected XSS attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in unauthorized data access, modification of website content, and potential complete compromise of the affected wordpress installation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates, input sanitization implementation, and comprehensive security monitoring. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest version of the image-gallery-with-slideshow plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, typically through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement strict input validation on all user-supplied data, employ proper output encoding when displaying user-generated content, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payloads. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of security testing during plugin development and emphasizes the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP top ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins or custom code implementations, while access controls should be reviewed to minimize the attack surface by limiting modification privileges to trusted users only.