CVE-2017-18591 in gd-rating-system Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The gd-rating-system plugin before 2.1 for WordPress has XSS in log.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2025
The gd-rating-system plugin for WordPress contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability in its log.php component that affects versions prior to 2.1. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's logging functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts into the application's response. The flaw specifically manifests when user-supplied data is processed and displayed without proper encoding or filtering mechanisms, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability falls under the category of persistent cross-site scripting as described by CWE-79, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws in the OWASP Top Ten. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the plugin's logging system to inject malicious payloads that can persist across multiple user sessions and interactions with the affected WordPress site.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows threat actors to establish a foothold within the WordPress environment, potentially escalating privileges or accessing sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in WordPress environments where administrators or authenticated users may view the plugin's log files, as this creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious input that gets stored in the plugin's logging mechanism and subsequently executed when legitimate users access the log.php page. This scenario aligns with the ATT&CK framework's initial access techniques, specifically targeting web application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the gd-rating-system plugin to version 2.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly in logging and reporting components where user data is processed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution from unauthorized sources. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning of WordPress installations to identify outdated plugins and themes that may contain similar vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit known XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security audits of third-party WordPress plugins are essential to maintain a secure environment, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in plugin components can create significant security risks for entire WordPress installations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping all WordPress components updated and following secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks.