CVE-2018-15571 in Export Users to CSV Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Export Users to CSV plugin through 1.1.1 for WordPress allows CSV injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2020
The CVE-2018-15571 vulnerability affects the Export Users to CSV plugin version 1.1.1 and earlier in the WordPress ecosystem, representing a critical security flaw that enables CSV injection attacks. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the plugin's export functionality, which processes user data into comma-separated values format for download. The issue specifically manifests when the plugin handles user input that contains malicious formulas or commands within the exported CSV files, creating a potential attack vector for remote code execution and data manipulation.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's failure to properly escape or sanitize special characters in user-generated content before exporting it to CSV format. When users with malicious intent include formula-based payloads such as "=cmd|'calc'!" or other executable commands within their WordPress user data fields, these commands can be interpreted by spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets upon CSV file import. This behavior aligns with CWE-1236, which categorizes improper input validation in data export functions, and represents a variant of the broader CSV injection vulnerability class. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no elevated privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress administrators who regularly export user data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration. When spreadsheet applications automatically execute formulas contained within CSV files, attackers can leverage this behavior to execute arbitrary commands on victim machines, potentially leading to full system compromise. This attack vector particularly affects organizations that regularly export user data from WordPress platforms, as the malicious payloads can be embedded within legitimate user profiles or registration data. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in unauthorized access to sensitive user information, system command execution, and potential lateral movement within network environments, making it a significant concern for enterprise security postures. The risk is amplified by the widespread use of WordPress platforms and the common practice of exporting user data for various business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-15571 should focus on immediate plugin updates to version 1.1.2 or later, which contain the necessary sanitization fixes. Organizations must also implement comprehensive input validation measures across all user data entry points and establish proper CSV export sanitization protocols. Security teams should consider implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious CSV file downloads and establish secure file handling procedures for exported data. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution, and T1566 for spearphishing attachments, emphasizing the need for both technical and user awareness controls. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict plugin permissions, implement proper access controls for export functionality, and consider alternative data export methods that do not rely on potentially vulnerable CSV generation processes. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and core systems remain essential to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by threat actors.