CVE-2018-17074 in Feed Statistics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Feed Statistics plugin before 4.0 for WordPress has an Open Redirect via the feed-stats-url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2020
The CVE-2018-17074 vulnerability affects the Feed Statistics plugin version 4.0 and earlier for WordPress, representing a critical open redirect flaw that can be exploited by attackers to manipulate user navigation. This vulnerability specifically resides in the feed-stats-url parameter handling within the plugin's codebase, creating a pathway for malicious actors to redirect users to arbitrary websites without their knowledge or consent. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that would redirect unsuspecting users to phishing sites or malware distribution points. The vulnerability impacts WordPress installations where this specific plugin is active, potentially affecting thousands of websites that rely on feed statistics tracking functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic open redirect pattern where the feed-stats-url parameter is directly incorporated into the redirect logic without proper validation. When a user visits a maliciously crafted URL containing this parameter, the plugin processes the input and performs an unvalidated redirect to the specified URL, bypassing normal security checks that would normally prevent such behavior. This flaw aligns with CWE-601, which specifically addresses open redirect vulnerabilities in web applications, where user-controllable input is used to construct redirect URLs without proper validation. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and lacks proper URL validation mechanisms that should verify the destination URL against a whitelist or ensure it belongs to the same domain as the originating website.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection, as it can be weaponized for phishing attacks, credential theft, and malware distribution. Attackers can craft deceptive URLs that appear legitimate to users while redirecting them to malicious sites designed to capture login credentials or install harmful software. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on WordPress for their web presence, as compromised sites can become vectors for broader attacks against their user bases. The open redirect can be exploited in various attack scenarios including social engineering campaigns, where attackers manipulate users into clicking links that appear to be from trusted sources, thereby undermining user trust and security awareness. This vulnerability particularly impacts WordPress sites that generate significant traffic through feed statistics, as these sites become attractive targets for attackers seeking to exploit the redirection capability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17074 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 4.0 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement additional security measures including URL validation at the web application firewall level, monitoring for suspicious redirect patterns, and implementing proper access controls to limit plugin functionality. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security auditing of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security gaps in plugin development practices. Security teams should consider implementing content security policies that restrict redirect behaviors and monitor network traffic for suspicious redirect patterns. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP top ten security guidelines, particularly those related to input validation and output encoding, which are fundamental principles in preventing such open redirect scenarios. The incident underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and maintaining up-to-date software versions as primary defense mechanisms against known vulnerabilities.