CVE-2017-12068 in Event List Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Event List plugin 0.7.9 for WordPress has XSS in the slug array parameter to wp-admin/admin.php in an el_admin_categories delete_bulk action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2019
The Event List plugin version 0.7.9 for WordPress contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper input validation within the administrative interface. This flaw exists in the handling of the slug array parameter within the wp-admin/admin.php file when processing the el_admin_categories delete_bulk action. The vulnerability represents a classic injection flaw where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into the response without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly escape or validate user input before rendering it in the administrative context. When administrators access the delete_bulk action for categories, the plugin processes an array of slugs that are passed through the request parameters. If an attacker can manipulate these parameters, they can inject malicious javascript code that will execute in the context of the administrator's browser session. This occurs because the plugin does not implement proper output encoding for the slug values when they are displayed or processed within the administrative interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows authenticated attackers with administrator privileges to execute arbitrary javascript code within the context of the admin panel. This creates a potential attack vector for privilege escalation, session hijacking, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous as it could enable attackers to modify plugin settings, delete content, or gain deeper system access. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which represents Cross-Site Scripting, and the specific implementation aligns with CWE-798 which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials but more broadly encompasses improper input handling.
The attack surface is limited to users with administrative access to the WordPress installation, but the impact is severe as it can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers would need to obtain valid administrative credentials or exploit another vulnerability to reach this point, but once inside the admin context, the XSS vulnerability provides a persistent attack vector. The vulnerability exists in the plugin's handling of bulk delete operations for categories, making it particularly dangerous during routine administrative tasks when multiple categories might be processed simultaneously. This creates a window of opportunity for attackers to inject malicious scripts that could execute during normal administrative operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as well as implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices. Organizations should ensure that all WordPress plugins are kept current with security patches, and administrators should implement proper access controls and monitoring for administrative activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies including regular security audits, input validation, and proper output encoding. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional protection layers against such attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would be categorized under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and potentially T1566 for credential harvesting if combined with other attack vectors. Regular security assessments and proper code review practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom plugin development and ensure that all input is properly sanitized before processing or display.