CVE-2018-19041 in Media File Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Media File Manager plugin 1.4.2 for WordPress allows XSS via the dir parameter of an mrelocator_getdir action to the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php URI.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19041 resides within the Media File Manager plugin version 1.4.2 for WordPress, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security integrity of affected web applications. This issue manifests through the improper handling of user-supplied input within the dir parameter of the mrelocator_getdir action, which is processed through the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing malicious script injection attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing a crafted dir parameter value that gets processed by the vulnerable plugin. The mrelocator_getdir action, when invoked through the admin-ajax.php handler, fails to properly sanitize or escape the dir parameter before incorporating it into dynamic HTML content. This oversight creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers who visit the affected WordPress site. The attack vector specifically targets the administrative interface since the vulnerability operates through the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php URI, which is designed for handling asynchronous requests within the WordPress admin environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with potential access to administrative functions and sensitive user data. When successful, the XSS payload could enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or manipulate the administrative interface to gain persistent access to the WordPress installation. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites that utilize the Media File Manager plugin, creating a potential attack surface that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or data exfiltration. The attack requires minimal user interaction since the malicious script executes automatically when the affected page is loaded, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently access the media management interface.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a manifestation of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into web page content. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, highlighting how attackers can leverage client-side scripting vulnerabilities to execute malicious code within the browser context. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including plugin updates to versions that properly sanitize input parameters, deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests, and implementation of Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar input validation issues and ensure that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being processed or displayed within the application interface.