CVE-2018-20978 in wp-all-import Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-all-import plugin before 3.4.7 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2023
The wp-all-import plugin for WordPress represents a critical security vulnerability through its implementation of cross-site scripting attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 3.4.7 and demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase. The issue manifests when the plugin processes user-supplied data through import functions, failing to properly escape or filter malicious script content that could be embedded within imported data sets. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the plugin's administrative interfaces or import processes, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with the affected functionality. This represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that falls under the CWE-79 category, specifically targeting the improper neutralization of input during web page generation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, and manipulate the plugin's functionality to gain unauthorized access to WordPress installations. When users with administrative privileges view imported data or interact with the plugin's interface, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to complete compromise of the WordPress installation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject persistent scripts that remain active even after the initial import operation, creating long-term access vectors. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to import functionality. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 which describes the use of web-based attacks to compromise systems through browser-based vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user input within the plugin's data processing pipeline. Specifically, when the plugin handles XML or CSV data imports, it fails to properly escape special characters or validate the content of imported fields before rendering them in web pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the plugin's administrative interfaces where users expect to see clean, sanitized data displays. This creates an environment where malicious actors can embed scripts within import files that target the plugin's user interface elements, causing the scripts to execute when users navigate to specific import views or interact with imported data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in web application development, particularly regarding the principle of least privilege and proper input validation at multiple points in the application lifecycle. Organizations using this plugin without proper updates face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches. The recommended mitigation involves immediate upgrade to version 3.4.7 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement web application firewalls, conduct regular security audits, and ensure that all WordPress plugins are kept current with security patches. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the necessity of robust input validation in web applications to prevent exploitation of similar flaws across different software components.