CVE-2017-18535 in smokesignal Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The smokesignal plugin before 1.2.7 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The smokesignal plugin for WordPress versions prior to 1.2.7 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which represents one of the most common web application security flaws. The issue specifically affects the plugin's handling of user-supplied input that is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in web pages, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin processes data from user inputs without adequate validation or output encoding, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts through various input vectors. These could include comment fields, contact forms, or any user-controllable data that gets displayed on the WordPress site. When a victim visits a page containing the malicious script, the code executes in their browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, defacement, or further exploitation of the victim's system. The vulnerability exists because the plugin fails to implement proper input sanitization techniques and output encoding mechanisms that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal user authentication cookies, redirect victims to phishing sites, inject malicious content into the website, or even establish persistent backdoors through more sophisticated attack vectors. The presence of such a vulnerability in a widely used WordPress plugin significantly increases the risk profile of affected websites, particularly those with numerous visitors or administrative users. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects the plugin's interaction with user data, making it accessible through multiple potential entry points within the WordPress ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 1.2.7 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS flaw. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices can help prevent similar issues in the future, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers as an additional defense-in-depth measure to limit the impact of potential XSS attacks, although this should not replace proper input sanitization. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments of WordPress plugins and themes remain essential to maintaining a secure web application environment, as highlighted by the MITRE ATT&CK framework's emphasis on maintaining secure configurations and preventing exploitation of known vulnerabilities.