CVE-2017-2284 in Popup Maker
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in Popup Maker prior to version 1.6.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2284 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Popup Maker WordPress plugin, affecting versions prior to 1.6.5. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a critical security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's handling of user input and dynamic content generation processes, creating an avenue for remote code execution through malicious script injection.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's insufficient sanitization and validation of user-supplied data within popup creation and display functionalities. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious scripts that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with affected popup elements. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple input points within the plugin's interface could be compromised, including popup content fields, configuration parameters, or dynamic content generation mechanisms. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the client-side execution level, allowing attackers to manipulate user sessions, steal cookies, or redirect victims to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise user security and application integrity. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to perform actions such as session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement of the affected website. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or privileged network positions to exploit this weakness. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through malicious HTML email attachments and can be leveraged for credential theft through session manipulation. The impact is particularly severe in environments where administrators or users with elevated privileges interact with the plugin's interface, as attackers could potentially escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2284 primarily focus on immediate patching of the Popup Maker plugin to version 1.6.5 or later, which contains the necessary sanitization and validation fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation measures, including the use of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution, regular security audits of plugin installations, and monitoring for suspicious user activity or unauthorized changes to popup configurations. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other installed plugins or components. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against client-side attacks.