CVE-2018-20462 in JSmol2WP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the JSmol2WP plugin 1.07 for WordPress. A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the jsmol.php data parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20462 resides within the JSmol2WP plugin version 1.07 for WordPress, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the security integrity of affected web applications. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the jsmol.php script's handling of the data parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the targeted WordPress environment. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, allowing attackers to bypass standard security controls and execute malicious payloads within the context of users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code within the data parameter of the jsmol.php endpoint. When the vulnerable plugin processes this input without proper sanitization, the malicious code becomes embedded within the web page response and subsequently executed by unsuspecting users who view the affected content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. The attack vector operates through the web application's failure to properly escape or encode user-supplied data before rendering it within HTML contexts, enabling persistent or reflected XSS conditions that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal user sessions, modify content displayed to other users, redirect them to malicious sites, or even escalate privileges within the compromised WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects any WordPress site utilizing the JSmol2WP plugin version 1.07, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of WordPress as a content management platform. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for scripting and T1531 for credential access, representing both execution and persistence capabilities for adversaries who successfully exploit this flaw.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-20462 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the vendor likely released patches to sanitize input parameters and implement proper output encoding. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities, enforce strict input validation on all user-supplied parameters, and conduct regular security assessments of installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies to restrict script execution, disabling unnecessary plugin functionality, and monitoring web application logs for suspicious activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party components and following secure coding practices that prevent XSS vulnerabilities through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms.