CVE-2017-18508 in wp-live-chat-support Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-live-chat-support plugin before 7.1.03 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The wp-live-chat-support plugin for WordPress contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects versions prior to 7.1.03, representing a critical security flaw in the widely used content management system ecosystem. This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially compromising the security of WordPress installations that rely on this plugin for live chat functionality. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of affected websites.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads through chat messages or configuration fields that are then displayed to other users without proper encoding or filtering. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS attack vector where malicious code persists in the application's database and executes whenever affected pages are loaded. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the plugin's widespread adoption, as many WordPress sites utilize live chat functionality for customer support and user engagement.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution, as successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and potential full system compromise. Attackers may leverage the XSS flaw to steal administrator cookies, redirect users to malicious domains, or inject additional malware into the compromised systems. The vulnerability affects not only end users but also website administrators who may unknowingly execute malicious code when viewing chat logs or interacting with the plugin interface. This creates a persistent threat vector that can remain active until the plugin is updated, potentially allowing attackers to maintain access to compromised systems over extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to version 7.1.03 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the update does not introduce compatibility issues with existing website functionality. Security teams must also monitor for any related vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem and maintain updated threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting similar XSS vulnerabilities in other plugins or core WordPress components. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content and T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the attack surface this vulnerability exposes.