CVE-2017-10837 in BackupGuard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in BackupGuard prior to version 1.1.47 allows an attacker to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10837 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the BackupGuard plugin for WordPress systems. This security weakness affects versions prior to 1.1.47 and stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw could be exploited through multiple entry points within the plugin's functionality, making the attack surface more extensive and difficult to predict.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a classic XSS flaw categorized under CWE-79 which represents "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')". The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages, enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The attack typically requires minimal privileges and can be executed through various vectors including form submissions, URL parameters, or any input field where user data is processed and displayed without proper sanitization measures. The BackupGuard plugin's failure to implement robust input validation and output encoding creates an environment where attacker-controlled content can be seamlessly integrated into legitimate web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative access. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious code within users' browsers, potentially stealing cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information. The consequences are particularly severe in environments where BackupGuard is used for critical data backup operations, as compromised systems could lead to unauthorized access to backup files and sensitive data repositories. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to WordPress installations, potentially escalating privileges to administrator level if the plugin's administrative functions are accessible to authenticated users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10837 should prioritize immediate patching to version 1.1.47 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts, regular security audits of plugin installations, and comprehensive input validation policies. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated plugin to ensure compatibility with existing systems while maintaining security posture. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous script injection patterns, and user education regarding suspicious web content should be emphasized to prevent social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for 'Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1566 for 'Phishing' when considering the exploitation vectors that attackers might use to deliver malicious payloads through compromised web applications.