CVE-2017-2222 in WP-Members
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in WP-Members prior to version 3.1.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2024
The CVE-2017-2222 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the WP-Members plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability affected versions prior to 3.1.8 and exposed websites using the plugin to potential remote code execution through malicious script injection attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's core functionality, creating an exploitable pathway for attackers to inject malicious code into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the WP-Members plugin's handling of user input data. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get executed in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with affected pages. The vulnerability specifically impacts how the plugin processes and renders user-supplied data without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject HTML tags and JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser session. This flaw operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for WordPress websites utilizing WP-Members plugin. Successful exploitation allows attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface web pages, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface extends to any user interaction with the plugin's functionality, including login forms, registration pages, and membership management interfaces. Organizations using vulnerable versions face potential data breaches, reputation damage, and compliance violations, particularly in environments where sensitive user information is processed through the affected plugin.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2222 primarily involve immediate patching of the WP-Members plugin to version 3.1.8 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all user-supplied content, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional protection layers against similar injection attacks. Regular monitoring and vulnerability assessment procedures should be established to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the broader WordPress ecosystem.