CVE-2018-16259 in WP All Import Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
There is an XSS vulnerability in WP All Import plugin 3.4.9 for WordPress via pmxi-admin-settings large_feed_limit.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2018-16259 represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the WP All Import plugin version 3.4.9 for WordPress platforms. This security weakness specifically manifests through the pmxi-admin-settings large_feed_limit parameter, which fails to properly sanitize user input before processing. The affected plugin allows administrators to import large feeds from external sources, making it a critical component in many WordPress installations where data integration is essential for business operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the plugin's administrative interface. When administrators access the pmxi-admin-settings page and manipulate the large_feed_limit parameter, the application does not adequately filter or escape the input data before rendering it back to the user interface. This failure creates an opportunity for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the web application's response, which will execute in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected administrative pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this XSS vulnerability could potentially gain access to administrative privileges, modify content, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites where the WP All Import plugin is installed and actively used for data import operations, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on automated content management workflows.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting, which categorizes the flaw as a weakness in input validation that allows malicious scripts to be executed in user browsers. The attack vector follows patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1213 Data from Information Repositories, where adversaries target web applications to access sensitive data through client-side vulnerabilities. The specific nature of this flaw suggests it could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain where initial access is gained through the vulnerable plugin, followed by privilege escalation or data exfiltration activities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the WP All Import plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, applying proper input validation and output encoding measures, and conducting thorough security assessments of all installed WordPress plugins. Additionally, implementing content security policies and monitoring administrative interfaces for suspicious parameter usage can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the WordPress ecosystem, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor input handling flaws can create significant security risks in content management systems.