CVE-2017-8099 in Whizz Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
There is CSRF in the WHIZZ plugin before 1.1.1 for WordPress, allowing attackers to delete any WordPress users and change the plugin's status via a GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8099 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the WHIZZ plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 111 and exposes WordPress installations to unauthorized administrative actions through maliciously crafted web requests. The flaw specifically enables attackers to execute destructive operations including user deletion and plugin status modification without proper authentication or authorization from legitimate administrators.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper request validation mechanisms. When processing GET requests, the WHIZZ plugin does not verify the authenticity of incoming requests through anti-CSRF tokens, referer headers, or other security measures that would normally prevent unauthorized operations. This absence of validation creates a pathway for attackers to construct malicious URLs that, when visited by authenticated administrators, automatically execute the targeted operations within the context of the administrator's session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to encompass complete administrative control over affected WordPress installations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to delete user accounts including administrator accounts, effectively compromising the entire site's security posture and potentially leading to full system compromise. Additionally, the ability to modify plugin status allows attackers to disable security measures or introduce malicious configurations that persist even after the initial attack vector is closed.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and session management practices that violate fundamental web security principles. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation through credential access and defense evasion by modifying system configurations. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it highly effective for social engineering campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the WHIZZ plugin to version 1.1.1 or later, where proper CSRF protection mechanisms have been implemented. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including web application firewalls, regular security audits, and monitoring for unauthorized administrative activities. The implementation of proper anti-CSRF token systems, validation of HTTP referer headers, and session management controls would have prevented this vulnerability from existing in the first place. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other plugins and themes, as CSRF vulnerabilities often occur in web applications that lack proper security validation mechanisms.