CVE-2018-5284 in ImageInject Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The ImageInject plugin 1.15 for WordPress has XSS via the flickr_appid parameter to wp-admin/options-general.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2019
The ImageInject plugin version 1.15 for WordPress contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the plugin's administrative interface. This flaw specifically affects the flickr_appid parameter when processing requests through the wp-admin/options-general.php endpoint, creating a persistent vector for malicious code injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into HTML output contexts. When administrators navigate to the plugin settings page and interact with the flickr_appid parameter, the application fails to apply appropriate encoding or validation measures that would prevent malicious scripts from being executed within the browser context of authenticated users. This represents a classic case of reflected cross-site scripting as described by CWE-79, where untrusted data flows from the web server to the client browser without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of an administrator's browser session. This elevated privilege level allows potential attackers to perform actions such as modifying plugin configurations, accessing sensitive administrative functions, or redirecting users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting the affected administrative page, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns.
Security professionals should recognize this issue as aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1548.001 for privilege escalation through administrative access. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations using WordPress with the ImageInject plugin version 1.15 must immediately implement mitigations including plugin updates, input filtering mechanisms, and administrative access controls to prevent exploitation.
Recommended remediation strategies include updating to the latest plugin version that addresses this vulnerability, implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters, and establishing comprehensive monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes that may present comparable risks to their digital infrastructure.