CVE-2018-5285 in ImageInject Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The ImageInject plugin 1.15 for WordPress has CSRF via 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 request forgery vulnerability that allows attackers to perform unauthorized actions within the context of authenticated users. This flaw exists in the wp-admin/options-general.php administrative interface where the plugin fails to implement proper anti-CSRF protections. The vulnerability specifically affects WordPress installations using the ImageInject plugin, creating a significant security risk for administrators who may unknowingly execute malicious requests when visiting compromised websites or clicking on malicious links.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of anti-CSRF tokens or nonce validation mechanisms within the plugin's administrative forms. When administrators navigate to the options-general.php page to configure the ImageInject plugin settings, the form submissions lack the necessary cryptographic tokens that would verify the authenticity of the request origin. This omission allows attackers to craft malicious requests that, when executed in the context of an authenticated administrator session, can modify plugin configurations or inject malicious content into the WordPress installation. The vulnerability operates under CWE-352 which classifies cross-site request forgery as a critical security weakness affecting web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as attackers can leverage the ImageInject plugin's functionality to inject malicious code into images or web pages. This capability can lead to various downstream security issues including persistent XSS attacks, data exfiltration, or the establishment of backdoors within the WordPress environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning because administrators often have elevated privileges and may be less cautious when interacting with administrative interfaces, making successful exploitation more likely. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers execution through web shells or malicious code injection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to versions that implement proper CSRF protection mechanisms. Administrators should ensure that the ImageInject plugin is updated to the latest available version that addresses this security flaw. Additionally, implementing comprehensive monitoring of administrative interface access patterns can help detect anomalous activities that may indicate successful exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by inspecting requests for suspicious CSRF patterns. Security hardening measures including restricting administrative access to trusted IP addresses and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts can further reduce the risk of exploitation. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire WordPress ecosystem.