CVE-2017-2187 in WP Live Chat Support
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in WP Live Chat Support prior to version 7.0.07 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2187 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the WP Live Chat Support plugin for WordPress systems. This security weakness affects versions prior to 7.0.07 and creates a significant risk for websites utilizing this popular live chat solution. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface may encompass multiple input points within the plugin's functionality, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for widespread exploitation.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications. This classification indicates that the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within web pages. The vulnerability likely occurs when user-generated content or parameters are directly incorporated into dynamic web page content without appropriate encoding or filtering mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets executed when other users view the affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2187 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the context of legitimate user sessions. This includes stealing cookies, modifying page content, redirecting users to phishing sites, or even executing arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability poses particular risk to websites that rely heavily on user interaction through live chat features, as the attack vectors may involve chat messages, user profiles, or configuration parameters. Organizations using vulnerable versions face potential data breaches, reputational damage, and compliance violations that could result in significant financial and operational consequences.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching to version 7.0.07 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin across their infrastructure. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, deploying content security policies, and establishing regular security monitoring procedures. The remediation process should also involve reviewing and testing the updated plugin functionality to ensure no regressions occur. Organizations should consider implementing automated patch management systems to prevent similar vulnerabilities from accumulating in their software ecosystem. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the potential for widespread impact when core web application components contain unaddressed XSS flaws.