CVE-2017-18606 in avada Theme
Summary
by MITRE
The avada theme before 5.1.5 for WordPress has stored XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2017-18606 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw in the Avada WordPress theme prior to version 5.1.5, which poses significant security risks to websites utilizing this popular theme. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as a stored XSS attack where malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed when users access affected pages. The Avada theme, known for its comprehensive feature set and customization options, became a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit user trust and elevate their privileges through client-side attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the theme's admin panels and content management interfaces. Attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code through various input fields that are not properly escaped or validated before being stored in the database. When authenticated users with sufficient privileges access the affected pages, the stored malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability particularly affects the theme's customizer functionality and various shortcode implementations that fail to properly sanitize user-provided content.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-18606 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to establish persistent footholds within compromised WordPress environments. Once exploited, the stored XSS can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation through session manipulation, data exfiltration, or even complete system compromise if the targeted users have administrator privileges. The attack vector typically involves an authenticated user with appropriate permissions accessing the compromised theme interface, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators may unknowingly trigger the malicious payload. This flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the malicious code execution occurs through legitimate scripting interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching to version 5.1.5 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to theme files and content, while also establishing regular security audits of WordPress installations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting administrative access to only necessary personnel and implementing multi-factor authentication. Additionally, web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, though they should not replace proper code validation. Security teams should also conduct regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other themes and plugins that may present similar stored XSS vulnerabilities.