CVE-2017-18542 in zendesk-help-center Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The zendesk-help-center plugin before 1.0.5 for WordPress has multiple XSS issues.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2023
The zendesk-help-center plugin for WordPress prior to version 1.0.5 contains multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that pose significant security risks to WordPress installations. These vulnerabilities arise from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase, creating attack vectors that malicious actors can exploit to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser. The plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages creates persistent XSS opportunities that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, and other malicious activities.
The technical flaw manifests in multiple locations within the plugin's implementation where user input is directly incorporated into HTML output without adequate sanitization measures. This vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws resulting from insufficient validation of input data. The affected plugin code fails to implement proper output encoding or escaping mechanisms when processing parameters such as URL query strings, form fields, or other user-controllable inputs that are subsequently rendered in web pages. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform authenticated actions on behalf of legitimate users. When exploited, these XSS vulnerabilities can allow adversaries to manipulate the help center functionality, inject malicious content into help articles, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations that rely on the zendesk-help-center plugin for their help desk functionality, potentially compromising thousands of websites if the plugin remains unpatched. This risk is particularly concerning given that many WordPress sites use third-party plugins that may not receive timely security updates from their developers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching to version 1.0.5 or later, which addresses the XSS flaws through proper input validation and output sanitization. System administrators should also implement content security policies to reduce the impact of potential XSS exploitation, though this serves as a secondary defense mechanism. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, as recommended in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework's application layer attacks category. Organizations should conduct regular security audits of their WordPress plugins and maintain updated security practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of their web applications.