CVE-2017-17096 in Content Cards Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Content Cards plugin before 0.9.7 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript via crafted OpenGraph data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2019
The CVE-2017-17096 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Content Cards plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 0.9.7. This vulnerability exposes WordPress installations to remote code execution risks through maliciously crafted OpenGraph data injection. The flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of metadata parameters that are commonly used by social media platforms to display rich content previews when links are shared. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious OpenGraph tags that contain JavaScript payloads, which then get executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who view pages containing the compromised content. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the Content Cards plugin's OpenGraph data processing functions. When WordPress processes OpenGraph metadata from external sources or user-generated content, the plugin fails to properly escape or filter the data before rendering it in the browser context. This insufficient sanitization creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through parameters such as og:title, og:description, og:image, and other OpenGraph properties. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because OpenGraph data is frequently used in social sharing contexts and is often automatically generated by plugins or themes, making it difficult for administrators to manually inspect and validate each piece of metadata. According to ATT&CK framework category T1566, this vulnerability represents a technique for Initial Access through the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities that allow for the execution of malicious scripts in user browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17096 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When successful, the XSS payload can access cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive data stored in the browser, potentially allowing attackers to hijack user accounts or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability also provides a vector for more advanced attacks such as credential harvesting, session fixation, or the delivery of additional malware through browser-based exploit chains. Given that WordPress is one of the most widely used content management systems, the potential attack surface for this vulnerability is extensive, affecting millions of websites that rely on the Content Cards plugin for content presentation and social sharing features. Organizations running vulnerable versions of this plugin face significant risk of data breaches, user account compromise, and reputational damage, particularly those that handle sensitive user information or operate in regulated environments where compliance with security standards is mandatory.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17096 require immediate action to upgrade the Content Cards plugin to version 0.9.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly sanitize OpenGraph data inputs. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures that escape or filter all user-supplied data before it is processed or displayed, particularly focusing on metadata parameters that are commonly manipulated in social sharing contexts. Additional defensive measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, using web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious OpenGraph data patterns, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins to identify outdated or vulnerable components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and following secure coding guidelines that emphasize proper input sanitization and output encoding to prevent similar issues in other web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring systems that can detect anomalous metadata patterns or unauthorized script injections in their WordPress installations to provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts.