CVE-2017-20177 in WangGuard Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/06/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in WangGuard Plugin 1.8.0. Affected by this issue is the function wangguard_users_info of the file wangguard-user-info.php of the component WGG User List Handler. The manipulation of the argument userIP leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be launched remotely. The name of the patch is 88414951e30773c8d2ec13b99642688284bf3189. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. VDB-220214 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2023
This vulnerability resides within the WangGuard Plugin version 1.8.0, specifically targeting the wangguard_users_info function located in the wangguard-user-info.php file. The flaw manifests in the WGG User List Handler component where improper input validation occurs when processing the userIP argument. This cross-site scripting vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability is classified as remotely exploitable, meaning that threat actors can leverage this flaw without requiring physical access to the target system or direct user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The issue stems from insufficient sanitization of user-provided input parameters, creating an opening for malicious code execution within the context of the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector operates through the manipulation of the userIP parameter, which when improperly handled by the application's input processing mechanisms, allows attackers to inject script code that executes in the victim's browser session. The vulnerability's remote exploitability makes it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through various means including malicious links in emails, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, manipulate web page content, or redirect users to malicious sites. The affected component's role in handling user information makes it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise user data or escalate privileges within the application. The patch identified by the commit hash 88414951e30773c8d2ec13b99642688284bf3189 represents a critical fix that addresses the root cause of the input validation failure. This remediation should be prioritized as part of any security maintenance routine for systems running the WangGuard Plugin. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates that it poses a significant risk to web application security, particularly in environments where user-generated content or user information handling is prevalent. Organizations using this plugin should immediately assess their exposure and implement the patch to prevent potential exploitation. The security implications align with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering attacks that can leverage XSS vulnerabilities to compromise user sessions. The vulnerability's presence in a user information handling component also relates to ATT&CK technique T1078, which deals with valid accounts and privilege escalation through compromised user credentials.
The technical nature of this vulnerability demonstrates how inadequate input validation can lead to severe security consequences in web applications. The function's failure to properly sanitize the userIP parameter creates a persistent security gap that can be exploited repeatedly by attackers. This flaw represents a classic example of how web developers must implement proper input sanitization and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks. The vulnerability's remediation requires careful attention to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly validated and escaped before being processed or displayed. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks and ensure that similar input validation issues are not present in other components of the application. The patch implementation should be thoroughly tested to confirm that it resolves the XSS vulnerability without introducing regressions in the plugin's functionality. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security testing to identify other potential XSS vulnerabilities within their web applications. The vulnerability's identification through VDB-220214 indicates that it has been properly catalogued in security databases, making it easier for security teams to track and remediate the issue across their infrastructure. This type of vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security updates and the necessity of maintaining current patches for all web application components. The presence of this vulnerability in a plugin suggests that third-party components require the same level of security scrutiny as in-house developed code, particularly when they handle user information or process external input.