CVE-2018-20968 in wp-ultimate-exporter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-ultimate-exporter plugin before 1.4.2 for WordPress has CSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The wp-ultimate-exporter plugin for WordPress contains a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that affects versions prior to 1.4.2. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's administrative functionality and represents a critical security flaw that could allow unauthorized users to perform actions on behalf of authenticated administrators without their knowledge or consent. The issue stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper anti-forgery tokens or validation mechanisms when processing administrative requests, making it susceptible to exploitation through maliciously crafted web requests that target authenticated users.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's lack of CSRF protection mechanisms within its export functionality and administrative interfaces. When an administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a compromised link, the attacker can construct requests that leverage the administrator's authenticated session to perform unauthorized operations such as exporting sensitive data, modifying plugin configurations, or potentially executing destructive actions depending on the plugin's capabilities. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-352, which defines cross-site request forgery as a weakness that occurs when a web application fails to validate that requests originate from the intended user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and potentially gain full control over WordPress installations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to harvest user credentials, export confidential site data, modify content, or even install malicious plugins. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where administrators frequently visit untrusted websites or where social engineering attacks are common, as the exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious page. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could potentially use the exported data to further compromise systems or establish persistence.
Organizations using the affected plugin version should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 1.4.2 or later, which includes proper CSRF token validation and session management controls. Additionally, administrators should review their plugin ecosystem for similar vulnerabilities and consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls, regular security audits, and monitoring for unusual administrative activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions. Security teams should also consider implementing browser-based security controls such as Content Security Policy headers and ensuring that all administrative interfaces properly validate request origins and implement robust session management practices to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of their WordPress installations.