CVE-2017-18528 in pdf-print Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The pdf-print plugin before 1.9.4 for WordPress has multiple XSS issues.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2023
The pdf-print plugin for WordPress versions prior to 1.9.4 contains multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that expose websites to malicious injection attacks. These vulnerabilities arise from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase, specifically affecting how user-supplied data is processed and rendered in web pages. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of parameters passed through HTTP requests, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The technical implementation of these XSS vulnerabilities stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into dynamic web content. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit the plugin's parameter handling mechanisms, particularly in areas where user data is directly embedded into HTML output without adequate escaping or encoding. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting flaw, which occurs when applications fail to properly validate or escape user-supplied data. The attack vector typically involves manipulating URL parameters or form inputs that are processed by the plugin's print functionality, leading to script execution in victim browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious domains. When exploited, these XSS flaws can allow unauthorized individuals to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of legitimate user sessions, potentially leading to complete compromise of user accounts. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations where the pdf-print plugin is active, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread adoption of WordPress as a content management system. Attackers can leverage these weaknesses to harvest cookies, perform actions as authenticated users, or inject malicious content that persists across multiple user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to version 1.9.4 or later, where the XSS issues have been addressed through proper input validation and output sanitization measures. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated plugin to ensure no regression issues occur, along with monitoring for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potentially vulnerable plugins or components that may present similar XSS risks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for social engineering, as attackers can use these flaws to execute malicious code and manipulate user interactions.