CVE-2017-18512 in newsletter-by-supsystic Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The newsletter-by-supsystic plugin before 1.1.8 for WordPress has CSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18512 affects the newsletter-by-supsystic plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 1.1.8, and represents a cross-site request forgery flaw that poses significant security risks to affected websites. This type of vulnerability allows attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent, making it particularly dangerous in web applications where user authentication is involved.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper CSRF protection mechanisms within the plugin's implementation. Cross-site request forgery occurs when an attacker crafts malicious requests that appear to originate from a legitimate user who is authenticated with a target application. In the context of the newsletter-by-supsystic plugin, this means that an attacker could potentially manipulate the plugin's functionality through carefully crafted requests that would be executed by authenticated users who visit malicious websites or click on compromised links. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-352 category, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery, and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Credential Access - Credentials in Files, as unauthorized modifications to plugin settings could potentially lead to credential exposure or privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it could enable attackers to modify newsletter configurations, add malicious subscribers, or potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive email lists and related data. WordPress administrators who are logged into their sites when visiting compromised content could unknowingly trigger actions that alter the plugin's behavior, potentially leading to spam distribution, data leakage, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability affects the plugin's administrative functions, making it particularly concerning for websites that rely on newsletter functionality for business operations or customer communication.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading of the newsletter-by-supsystic plugin to version 1.1.8 or later, which includes proper CSRF token implementation and validation mechanisms. Security best practices dictate that all web applications should implement anti-CSRF tokens, typically in the form of hidden form fields or HTTP headers that are validated server-side to ensure requests originate from legitimate sources. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as Content Security Policy headers, regular security audits of WordPress plugins, and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to critical system components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and following the principle of least privilege when configuring administrative access to prevent widespread exploitation.