CVE-2017-12948 in PressForward Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Core\Admin\PFTemplater.php in the PressForward plugin 4.3.0 and earlier for WordPress has XSS in the PATH_INFO to wp-admin/admin.php, related to PHP_SELF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12948 resides within the PressForward WordPress plugin version 4.3.0 and earlier, specifically in the Core\Admin\PFTemplater.php file. This flaw represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that occurs when processing PATH_INFO parameters directed to wp-admin/admin.php, with the vulnerability being directly linked to improper handling of the PHP_SELF variable. The issue manifests when user-supplied input is not adequately sanitized or escaped before being rendered in the web application's output, creating a vector for malicious code injection that can be executed in the context of a victim's browser.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the PATH_INFO component of the URL, which is processed by the WordPress administration interface. When the PressForward plugin encounters a request with specific PATH_INFO parameters, the PFTemplater.php script fails to properly sanitize or escape the PHP_SELF variable, allowing attacker-controlled data to be directly embedded into the HTML output. This represents a classic XSS flaw that can be categorized under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web output. The vulnerability specifically impacts the WordPress admin interface where the plugin's template rendering functionality processes user input without adequate validation, enabling an attacker to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated admin sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the browser of authenticated WordPress administrators. This access can lead to complete compromise of the WordPress installation, allowing attackers to modify content, create new administrator accounts, steal session cookies, or execute further attacks against the underlying infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint which is frequently accessed by administrators, making it a high-value target for exploitation. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when visited by an administrator, will execute the injected payload, potentially leading to persistent backdoors or data exfiltration. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access and T1547.001 for registry run keys for persistence, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to maintain long-term access to the compromised WordPress environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12948 include immediate patching of the PressForward plugin to version 4.3.1 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization of the PHP_SELF variable. Administrators should also implement input validation and output escaping mechanisms at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied data passed through PATH_INFO parameters is properly sanitized before being rendered in web output. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies to restrict script execution, monitoring for suspicious URL patterns in web server logs, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress plugins to identify potential vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious PATH_INFO parameter manipulation attempts, and establish secure coding practices that emphasize proper input validation and output encoding to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in custom WordPress themes or plugins.