CVE-2017-18487 in adsense-plugin Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The adsense-plugin (aka Google AdSense) plugin before 1.44 for WordPress has multiple XSS issues.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The CVE-2017-18487 vulnerability affects the Google AdSense plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 1.44, and represents a significant cross-site scripting vulnerability that exposes WordPress sites to potential exploitation. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user input and configuration parameters, creating multiple entry points for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the web application. The issue is particularly concerning because WordPress is one of the most widely deployed content management systems globally, with millions of installations that could potentially be affected by this vulnerability.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping within the plugin's administrative interfaces and frontend rendering mechanisms. When users configure ad settings or interact with the plugin's management screens, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into HTML output. This lack of proper sanitization creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through various parameters including ad codes, configuration settings, and user-defined content fields. The vulnerability manifests as multiple distinct XSS vectors rather than a single point of failure, indicating a systemic issue in the plugin's data handling practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within the context of authenticated WordPress admin sessions. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain administrative privileges, modify content, install malicious plugins, or even compromise the entire WordPress installation. The attack surface is particularly broad since the vulnerability affects the plugin's administrative interfaces where users with appropriate permissions can make configuration changes. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of how insecure input handling can lead to privilege escalation and persistent attacks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically requires an attacker to obtain access to a WordPress administrator account or to trick a legitimate administrator into executing malicious payloads through social engineering techniques. Once exploited, the attacker can leverage the XSS vulnerability to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or modifying the plugin's configuration to serve malicious advertisements. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper input validation practices throughout the application lifecycle. Organizations should consider implementing content security policies and monitoring for unusual administrative activities as additional defensive measures against such attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-18487 primarily focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.44 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. System administrators should also implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious administrative activities and ensure that only trusted users have access to plugin configuration interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of the principle of least privilege and proper access controls within WordPress installations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of defense against similar attacks. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security assessments and the implementation of secure coding practices throughout the software development lifecycle.