CVE-2017-18533 in rimons-twitter-widget Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The rimons-twitter-widget plugin before 1.3 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2023
The CVE-2017-18533 vulnerability affects the rimons-twitter-widget plugin version 1.2 and earlier for WordPress, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users. This vulnerability specifically resides within the plugin's handling of user input data, where insufficient sanitization and validation mechanisms permit malicious payloads to be executed in the context of a victim's browser session. The issue stems from improper handling of Twitter feed data that users can configure through the plugin's administrative interface, creating an attack surface where unfiltered input can be rendered without adequate security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS flaw where user-provided content flows directly into HTML output without proper escaping or encoding. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input within the Twitter widget configuration fields, which then gets rendered on WordPress pages and executed when other users view those pages. The vulnerability type aligns with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to neutralize output in web applications. This flaw enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, defacement of content, redirection to malicious sites, or data exfiltration from authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of WordPress installations. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the behavior of authenticated users, potentially leading to privilege escalation or unauthorized administrative actions. The attack vector requires minimal technical expertise since it leverages the plugin's legitimate configuration interface to inject malicious code. This vulnerability affects not only the plugin's functionality but also the broader WordPress ecosystem, as compromised sites can become part of botnets or serve as entry points for further attacks. The impact is particularly severe in environments where multiple administrators have access to the plugin configuration, as the attack surface expands beyond simple script injection to include potential privilege abuse.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-18533 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 1.3 or later, where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all WordPress plugins and themes remain current with security updates. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies that restrict script execution and monitoring user input validation processes. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those recommended in the OWASP Top Ten, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of WordPress installations and maintain updated threat intelligence to identify and remediate similar issues across the entire application stack. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as the malicious scripts can execute commands on compromised systems, while also relating to T1566 - Phishing, as attackers may use the vulnerability to create convincing phishing pages that appear legitimate within the WordPress environment.