CVE-2017-18526 in moreads-se plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The moreads-se plugin before 1.4.7 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2023
The CVE-2017-18526 vulnerability affects the moreads-se plugin for WordPress versions prior to 1.4.7, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that poses significant security risks to WordPress installations. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user input within its administrative interface and frontend components, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of affected websites. The moreads-se plugin, designed for advertising management within WordPress environments, failed to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied data, leading to the exposure of vulnerable systems to unauthorized script execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase. When administrators or users interact with the plugin's interface, particularly when entering data into forms or configuration settings, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as executable script code. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious javascript payloads through various input fields, which are then executed in the browsers of other users who view the affected content. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically affecting the plugin's administrative dashboard and frontend rendering components where user-provided data is processed and displayed without proper security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-18526 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious domains. Once exploited, the XSS vulnerability could allow threat actors to access administrator sessions, modify content, or inject malware into the affected WordPress installations. The attack surface includes not only the plugin's direct interface but also any pages where the plugin displays user-generated content, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators interact with the platform. This weakness aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in software applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to version 1.4.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation flaws. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring for unauthorized modifications, and implementing content security policies to limit script execution capabilities. The remediation process should involve thorough testing of the updated plugin to ensure compatibility with existing website functionality while maintaining security posture. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional input validation mechanisms as part of their defense-in-depth strategy. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping content management systems and their plugins updated to address known security flaws, as outdated software components remain primary attack vectors for cyber adversaries. The incident underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application stack.