CVE-2017-18511 in custom-sidebars Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The custom-sidebars plugin before 3.0.8.1 for WordPress has CSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The CVE-2017-18511 vulnerability affects the custom-sidebars plugin for WordPress versions prior to 3.0.8.1, exposing a cross-site request forgery flaw that allows unauthorized modifications to sidebar configurations. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's administrative interface where user input validation and request authentication mechanisms are insufficiently implemented. The flaw specifically impacts the plugin's ability to verify the authenticity of requests originating from legitimate administrators versus malicious actors who might exploit the vulnerability through social engineering or by tricking users into executing unauthorized actions. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-352, which defines cross-site request forgery as a security weakness where the application fails to validate that requests originate from the authenticated user.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to incorporate proper anti-CSRF tokens in its administrative forms and endpoints. When administrators access the plugin's configuration pages, the system does not validate that incoming requests are legitimate and originate from the authenticated user session. Attackers can craft malicious requests that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, modify sidebar content, add new sidebars, or alter existing sidebar configurations without the user's knowledge or consent. This represents a significant operational risk as it allows attackers to manipulate website content and potentially redirect traffic or inject malicious code into sidebar areas that are often used for advertising, navigation, or other critical website functionality.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple content manipulation, as it can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors or redirect users to malicious sites through compromised sidebar widgets. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can alter navigation structures, inject malicious scripts, or modify widget configurations that may be used by other users or automated systems. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the WordPress site's administrative interface and can potentially lead to more severe consequences when combined with other vulnerabilities, as it provides a foothold for further exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachment, as it can be exploited through social engineering campaigns that target administrators.
Organizations using the affected plugin should immediately update to version 3.0.8.1 or later, which implements proper CSRF token validation and request authentication mechanisms. Administrators should also conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any other potentially vulnerable plugins or themes that may exhibit similar security weaknesses. The mitigation strategy should include implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns, and ensuring that all administrative interfaces properly validate user sessions and request origins. Regular security monitoring and automated vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other WordPress plugins or custom code that may be susceptible to the same class of vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and ensuring that all WordPress components, including third-party plugins, are regularly updated to address known security weaknesses.