CVE-2018-19564 in Easy Testimonials Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Stored XSS was discovered in the Easy Testimonials plugin 3.2 for WordPress. Three wp-admin/post.php parameters (_ikcf_client and _ikcf_position and _ikcf_other) have Cross-Site Scripting.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19564 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the Easy Testimonials plugin version 3.2 for WordPress. This vulnerability specifically affects the wp-admin/post.php administrative interface where three distinct parameters namely _ikcf_client _ikcf_position and _ikcf_other are susceptible to malicious input injection. The flaw occurs when user-supplied data is not properly sanitized or validated before being stored in the database and subsequently rendered in the web application interface. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious scripts that persist across user sessions and affect all visitors to the compromised WordPress site.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The stored variant of XSS means that malicious scripts are permanently saved on the server and executed whenever affected pages are accessed by users. The vulnerability operates through the WordPress administrative backend where testimonials are managed and allows attackers to manipulate the testimonial creation or editing process through these three specific parameters. When these parameters are submitted with malicious payloads they are stored in the database and executed when the testimonials are displayed on the frontend or within the admin interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and potentially sensitive administrative data. Any user with access to the WordPress admin panel including editors and administrators can be targeted by this vulnerability. The stored nature means that once exploited the malicious scripts will execute automatically for every visitor who accesses pages containing the compromised testimonials. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be used to steal cookies session tokens or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions within the WordPress installation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19564 should prioritize immediate patching of the Easy Testimonials plugin to version 3.3 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output sanitization measures to prevent malicious data from being stored in the database. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting administrative access to only trusted users and implementing multi-factor authentication. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes. Additionally implementing content security policies and using web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter validation in web applications and highlights the need for security-conscious development practices that follow OWASP top ten guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring systems to detect and alert on suspicious activities related to testimonial management and user input handling within their WordPress environments.