CVE-2017-2136 in WP Statistics
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in WP Statistics version 12.0.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via specially crafted HTTP Referer headers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2136 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WP Statistics plugin for WordPress systems. This security weakness affects versions 12.0.4 and earlier, creating a significant risk for websites utilizing this analytics tool. The vulnerability specifically resides in how the plugin processes HTTP Referer headers, which are commonly used by web browsers to indicate the address of the webpage that linked to the resource being requested. When attackers exploit this flaw, they can inject malicious scripts or HTML code through these headers, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the WP Statistics plugin codebase. The plugin fails to properly escape or filter the Referer header data before displaying it in the user interface or storing it in database records. This allows malicious actors to craft HTTP requests containing script tags or other malicious payloads within the Referer header field. When the vulnerable plugin processes these headers, it renders the injected content without proper sanitization, creating an XSS attack vector that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft a Referer header containing a malicious script that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, could steal cookies or session tokens from users visiting the compromised website. Additionally, the vulnerability could allow for defacement of the statistics dashboard, injection of malicious advertisements, or redirection of users to phishing sites. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many WordPress installations rely on analytics plugins for tracking visitor behavior, making this vulnerability a prime target for exploitation.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaw. The remediation process involves upgrading WP Statistics to version 12.0.5 or later, which contains proper input validation and output sanitization measures. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and monitor for suspicious Referer header patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or sanitization. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this represents a technique for initial access and privilege escalation through web application exploitation, specifically categorized under T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for spearphishing with attachments or links, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to deliver additional malicious payloads through crafted referer headers.