CVE-2017-18520 in democracy-poll Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The democracy-poll plugin before 5.4 for WordPress has XSS via update_l10n in admin/class.DemAdminInit.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18520 affects the democracy-poll plugin version 5.3 and earlier for WordPress platforms, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the administrative interface of the plugin. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the update_l10n parameter handling mechanism located in the admin/class.DemAdminInit.php file, creating a persistent security weakness that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's administrative environment.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin processes user-supplied data through the update_l10n parameter without proper sanitization or output encoding, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of an authenticated administrator's browser session. This vulnerability operates under the CWE-79 classification for cross-site scripting, specifically targeting the administrative interface where privileged users operate, making it particularly dangerous for exploitation. The flaw allows for potential session hijacking, privilege escalation, and unauthorized modifications to poll configurations or other administrative settings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a foothold within the WordPress administrative environment, potentially enabling them to manipulate poll data, modify plugin configurations, or even install malicious plugins. Given that the vulnerability affects the administrative interface, successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the WordPress site, especially if the attacker can escalate privileges through additional vulnerabilities or social engineering. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction since the vulnerability exists within the plugin's update mechanism, making it particularly insidious for administrators who may not immediately notice the compromise.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the democracy-poll plugin to version 5.4 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output sanitization. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring for unauthorized administrative activities, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1548.003 for Abuse of Functionality and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the need for defensive measures that focus on both input validation and behavioral monitoring to prevent exploitation of such administrative interface vulnerabilities.