CVE-2018-10301 in Instagram Feed WD Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Web-Dorado Instagram Feed WD plugin before 1.3.1 Premium for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML by passing payloads in a comment on an Instagram post.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2020
The CVE-2018-10301 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Web-Dorado Instagram Feed plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.3.1 Premium, creating a significant security risk for WordPress websites that utilize this popular social media integration plugin. The flaw manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input within Instagram post comments, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the plugin's output rendering process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of comment fields within Instagram posts that are displayed through the WordPress plugin interface. When users submit comments containing malicious payloads, the plugin processes these inputs without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms, resulting in the execution of unauthorized scripts within the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the plugin does not implement proper output encoding or input validation when rendering Instagram comments, creating a classic XSS attack vector that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute malicious code in the victim's browser environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. Attackers can craft payloads that steal cookies, modify page content, or redirect users to phishing sites, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation or the personal data of site visitors. The vulnerability particularly affects sites that rely heavily on Instagram integration, as the attack surface expands to include all comment fields that are rendered through the vulnerable plugin, making it a significant concern for social media-focused websites.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output encoding practices that are commonly exploited in web application attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version 1.3.1 Premium, implementing proper input sanitization measures, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other third-party components within the WordPress ecosystem.
The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security practices in plugin development, particularly around input validation and output encoding. WordPress developers and administrators must prioritize security in their plugin implementations and maintain regular updates to address known vulnerabilities. The incident also highlights the risks associated with using third-party plugins that may not follow secure coding practices, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security assessments before deploying any web application components. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks, even when other mitigations are in place.