CVE-2017-15384 in Rate Me
Summary
by MITRE
rate-me.php in Rate Me 1.0 has XSS via the id field in a rate action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15384 resides within the rate-me.php script of the Rate Me plugin version 1.0, presenting a cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be exploited through the id parameter during rate actions. This flaw represents a classic input validation issue where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being processed and returned to users. The vulnerability specifically affects the rate action functionality, where the id field serves as the attack vector for malicious input injection. The plugin's failure to implement proper output encoding or input sanitization creates an exploitable condition that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's response. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it leverages the plugin's legitimate rating functionality to deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting users who interact with the affected application.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code and injects it through the id parameter in the rate action request. When the application processes this input and renders the response, the malicious script gets executed within the context of the victim's browser session. This cross-site scripting attack can potentially lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because it occurs within a plugin that likely handles user interactions, making it accessible to both authenticated and unauthenticated users depending on the application's configuration. The attack chain involves the attacker sending a specially crafted request to the rate-me.php endpoint with a malicious id parameter, which is then processed and reflected back in the page content without proper sanitization, thereby executing the injected script in the victim's browser context. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing with Malicious Link, where attackers leverage web application flaws to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly legitimate user interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting through session manipulation or redirection to phishing pages. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access patterns by injecting tracking scripts or malware delivery mechanisms that can operate within the victim's browser environment. The vulnerability's presence in a rating plugin suggests it could be exploited in social engineering campaigns where users are encouraged to rate content, inadvertently triggering the malicious script execution. Organizations using this plugin face potential data breaches, as the XSS vulnerability could be used to capture user credentials or session tokens. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where users have administrative privileges or access to sensitive information, as the malicious scripts could be used to escalate privileges or access restricted resources. The vulnerability also represents a significant concern for web application security posture, as it demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure coding standards and could compromise the integrity of the entire application ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15384 should focus on immediate patching of the Rate Me plugin to version 1.0 or higher, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for parameters used in dynamic content generation. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits of third-party plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, web application firewalls can be configured to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting known XSS attack vectors, and security training for developers should emphasize the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive security testing and validation of all web application components, particularly those handling user input. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify similar input validation issues across their web applications, ensuring that such vulnerabilities are detected and remediated before they can be exploited in real-world scenarios.