CVE-2017-20093 in Download Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/24/2022
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Download Manager Plugin 2.8.99. Affected is an unknown function. The manipulation leads to cross-site request forgery. It is possible to launch the attack remotely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-20093 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the Download Manager Plugin version 2.8.99. This issue falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities. The vulnerability exists in an unknown function within the plugin's codebase, making it particularly challenging to assess and remediate without comprehensive code analysis. The affected plugin operates within web environments where user interactions with download functionality are processed, creating a potential attack surface that adversaries can exploit. The vulnerability's classification as remotely exploitable indicates that attackers do not require physical access to the target system or direct network proximity to initiate malicious activities.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability allows malicious actors to manipulate the plugin's functionality through crafted requests that appear legitimate to the target system. When users interact with the download manager plugin, the vulnerable function fails to properly validate or authenticate the origin of requests, enabling unauthorized actions to be executed on behalf of authenticated users. This flaw specifically impacts the plugin's ability to distinguish between genuine user-initiated requests and those generated by malicious third parties. The attack vector typically involves tricking users into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites that automatically submit requests to the vulnerable plugin, potentially leading to unauthorized file downloads, modifications to download configurations, or even privilege escalation within the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it can compromise the integrity of the download management system and potentially provide attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive resources. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to force users to download malicious files, modify download settings, or perform administrative actions without user consent. The remote exploitation capability means that threat actors can target users from anywhere on the internet, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the plugin is widely deployed. Organizations using this plugin may experience unauthorized data transfers, compromised download integrity, and potential system compromise if the vulnerability is exploited successfully.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-20093 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF implementation flaws. Security teams should implement proper request validation mechanisms and ensure that all user-initiated requests contain appropriate authentication tokens that cannot be forged by external parties. The implementation of anti-CSRF tokens within the plugin's functions represents a critical defensive measure that aligns with recommended practices from the Open Web Application Security Project. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their plugin installations and consider implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized download activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and timely patch management to prevent similar issues from arising in other components of the system.