CVE-2018-20967 in wp-ultimate-csv-importer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-ultimate-csv-importer plugin before 5.6.1 for WordPress has CSRF.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The wp-ultimate-csv-importer plugin for WordPress contains a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that affects versions prior to 5.6.1. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with contributor or higher privileges to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims. The flaw resides in the plugin's handling of requests that modify or create import configurations without proper validation of the request source. When an authenticated user visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link, the attacker can leverage the user's existing session to execute unintended operations within the WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF tokens in the plugin's administrative interfaces. WordPress plugins typically implement nonce verification to prevent unauthorized requests, but this particular plugin fails to validate the authenticity of requests made to its import configuration endpoints. Attackers can craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress installation because they do not validate the origin or authenticity of the request parameters. This weakness is particularly dangerous in environments where users with contributor roles or higher privileges are present, as these roles typically have access to sensitive administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation. An attacker with contributor privileges can leverage this CSRF flaw to modify import settings, potentially redirecting imports to malicious endpoints or altering data processing rules. This could lead to data exfiltration, system compromise through malicious import targets, or disruption of legitimate import operations. The vulnerability is especially concerning in multi-user WordPress environments where contributors or editors might be less security-conscious and more likely to visit malicious websites. Additionally, the attack can be automated through social engineering techniques, making it particularly dangerous in environments with multiple users who may inadvertently trigger the malicious requests.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to version 5.6.1 or later of the wp-ultimate-csv-importer plugin, which implements proper CSRF protection mechanisms. Administrators should also enforce strict access controls and user privilege management, ensuring that only trusted administrators have contributor or higher roles. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block suspicious requests, though these measures are less effective than proper plugin-level fixes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery weaknesses in web applications, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachments, as it enables attackers to leverage existing user privileges for unauthorized actions. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and maintaining updated security practices should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of the WordPress ecosystem.