CVE-2017-20092 in Google Analytics Dashboard Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/24/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Google Analytics Dashboard Plugin 2.1.1. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality. The manipulation leads to basic cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Google Analytics Dashboard Plugin version 2.1.1 where an attacker can exploit a cross-site scripting vulnerability through remote manipulation of an unknown functionality within the plugin's codebase. The issue manifests as a basic cross-site scripting vector that allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary script code in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user data and system integrity.
The technical exploitation occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that gets processed by the vulnerable plugin functionality and subsequently rendered on web pages without proper sanitization or output encoding. This creates an environment where injected scripts can execute with the privileges of the affected user, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized data manipulation. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attack chains including persistent XSS payloads that maintain access across multiple user sessions. Attackers could leverage this weakness to establish backdoors, steal sensitive cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious sites for further exploitation. The remote attack vector means that no local system compromise is required, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin version to the latest available release that addresses the identified XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, utilize Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to identify unusual patterns of script injection attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugin components or custom code within the WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping third-party plugins updated and maintaining comprehensive security hygiene practices across all web application components.
The flaw exemplifies how seemingly minor functionality gaps in popular plugins can create significant security risks, particularly when user input is not properly sanitized before being processed and displayed to other users. This type of vulnerability often goes undetected for extended periods due to the complexity of modern web applications and the difficulty in identifying all potential injection points within plugin codebases that may be vulnerable to cross-site scripting attacks.