CVE-2018-11366 in Loginizer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
init.php in the Loginizer plugin 1.3.8 through 1.3.9 for WordPress has Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) because logging is mishandled. This is fixed in 1.4.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11366 affects the Loginizer WordPress plugin version 1.3.8 through 1.3.9, representing a critical unauthenticated stored cross-site scripting flaw that compromises user security. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of logging mechanisms within the plugin's init.php file, creating a persistent XSS attack vector that can be exploited by unauthorized actors without requiring authentication credentials. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the logging system, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected log entries, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input before storing it in log files or database entries. When Loginizer processes authentication attempts or other security events, the raw input data is stored without adequate sanitization measures, creating opportunities for attackers to embed malicious JavaScript code within log entries. This stored data becomes executable when legitimate users access the plugin's logging interface or related administrative pages, enabling attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing arbitrary code within the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially compromising entire WordPress installations. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that malicious actors can exploit the vulnerability without requiring prior access to valid credentials, making it particularly attractive for automated exploitation campaigns. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to version 1.4.0 or later, where the developers have implemented proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of WordPress plugins, monitoring of log files for suspicious entries, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected plugins and ensure all WordPress components remain current with the latest security patches. The fix implemented in version 1.4.0 addresses the root cause by properly sanitizing user input before storage and implementing appropriate output encoding when displaying log data, preventing the execution of malicious scripts in user browsers.