CVE-2017-20087 in Alpine PhotoTile for Instagram Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/23/2022
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Alpine PhotoTile for Instagram Plugin 1.2.7.7. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality. The manipulation leads to basic cross site scripting. The attack may be launched remotely.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2022
This vulnerability in the Alpine PhotoTile for Instagram Plugin version 1.2.7.7 represents a critical security flaw that exposes users to cross site scripting attacks through remote exploitation. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase, specifically affecting an unknown but critical functionality that processes user-provided data. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited without requiring user interaction beyond visiting the affected website. This basic cross site scripting vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws in web applications. The remote exploitation capability means that threat actors can launch attacks from anywhere on the internet without needing physical access to the target system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for websites that rely on the plugin for displaying Instagram content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to steal user sessions, deface websites, redirect visitors to malicious sites, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users. The Alpine PhotoTile plugin's functionality likely processes Instagram API responses or user-generated content that gets rendered on website pages, creating multiple potential injection points where attacker-controlled data can be inserted into the HTML output. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers social engineering through phishing, as attackers can craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate to end users. The vulnerability affects not only the plugin's immediate functionality but also the broader security posture of websites using it, as compromised pages can serve as entry points for further attacks on the hosting infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the plugin to version 1.2.7.8 or later, which should contain proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Security measures should include implementing content security policies that restrict script execution, sanitizing all user inputs before processing, and regularly auditing plugin code for similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, while monitoring for any unauthorized modifications to the plugin files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party components and implementing robust security testing procedures that include dynamic analysis of web applications. Additionally, administrators should educate users about the risks of visiting compromised websites and establish incident response procedures to quickly address any exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly innocuous plugins can create significant security risks when they fail to properly validate and sanitize user inputs, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security practices across all web application components.