CVE-2018-13137 in Events Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Events Manager plugin 5.9.4 for WordPress has XSS via the dbem_event_reapproved_email_body parameter to the wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=event&page=events-manager-options URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13137 affects the Events Manager plugin version 5.9.4 for WordPress, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that could enable attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the dbem_event_reapproved_email_body parameter within the wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=event&page=events-manager-options URI, creating an attack vector that targets the administrative interface of WordPress sites utilizing this plugin. The flaw resides in the insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input within the plugin's options management functionality, where the email body template parameter fails to properly validate or escape potentially malicious content before rendering it within the web page context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to apply proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms when processing the dbem_event_reapproved_email_body parameter. When administrators access the events manager options page and interact with the email template fields, the plugin directly incorporates user-provided content without adequate sanitization measures. This creates an environment where an attacker could craft malicious payloads containing javascript code or other harmful scripts that would execute in the browser of any user who views the affected administrative interface. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-79 principle of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically categorized as reflected XSS due to the parameter being processed and returned within the same request cycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to administrative functions and sensitive data within the WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to event management features, potentially modifying or deleting event data, accessing private event information, or even escalating privileges within the WordPress installation. The attack requires minimal user interaction, typically involving the administrator visiting the specific options page where the malicious content is rendered, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently access plugin configuration interfaces. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Credential Access through Web Application Session Management, as compromised administrative sessions could lead to further exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13137 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the developers have released patches to resolve this issue. Administrators should implement input validation measures at the web application firewall level to filter out suspicious characters and patterns commonly associated with XSS attacks. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting administrative access to only trusted users and implementing multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of potential compromises. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual access patterns to plugin configuration pages and monitoring of email template parameters for malicious content. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and organizations should maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes to ensure timely patch deployment across all systems. The remediation process should also include user education about the risks of visiting untrusted links and the importance of keeping all WordPress components updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.