CVE-2017-18516 in bws-linkedin Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The bws-linkedin plugin before 1.0.5 for WordPress has multiple XSS issues.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The CVE-2017-18516 vulnerability affects the bws-linkedin plugin version 1.0.4 and earlier for WordPress, representing a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user input and data processing mechanisms, creating persistent security risks for WordPress installations that utilize this particular plugin. The issue stems from inadequate sanitization and validation of input parameters that are processed by the plugin's backend functionality, particularly within its LinkedIn integration features and user-facing interfaces.
The technical flaw manifests through multiple vectors where unfiltered user input is directly incorporated into HTML output without proper encoding or validation measures. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious payloads that leverage the plugin's data handling routines, potentially affecting administrators and regular users who view pages containing compromised content. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution to include potential session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized administrative access. According to CWE classification, this represents a variant of CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which encompasses various forms of cross-site scripting attacks that occur when web applications fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before including it in dynamically generated web pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-18516 is significant for WordPress environments that rely on the bws-linkedin plugin, as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise user sessions and potentially gain elevated privileges within the WordPress administration interface. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple XSS vectors means that a single exploitation attempt can affect various plugin functionalities including user profile displays, social media integration features, and administrative interfaces. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing for Information, as the vulnerability enables attackers to establish persistent footholds through malicious input injection that can be triggered by unsuspecting users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to version 1.0.5 or later, which contain proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of plugin updates and maintain current security practices including regular vulnerability assessments and security audits. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, conducting thorough input validation for all user-supplied data, and establishing network segmentation to limit potential attack surface. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and regular security patch management, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including NIST SP 800-171 and ISO 27001 standards. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns associated with known XSS attack vectors.