CVE-2018-5286 in GD Rating System Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The GD Rating System plugin 2.3 for WordPress has XSS via the wp-admin/admin.php panel parameter for the gd-rating-system-about page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2019
The GD Rating System plugin for WordPress represents a significant security vulnerability through its implementation of cross-site scripting attacks. This particular weakness exists within the plugin's administrative interface where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to the browser. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing the panel parameter within the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint, particularly affecting the gd-rating-system-about page which serves as a control panel for managing rating system configurations.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before it is incorporated into dynamic web content. When an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or other executable code within the panel parameter, this unvalidated data gets rendered directly into the HTML output without proper sanitization. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can execute within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising the administrative interface and enabling unauthorized actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive administrative functions within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this cross-site scripting vulnerability to steal administrator cookies, execute unauthorized administrative commands, or manipulate the rating system configuration to redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the administrative panel where critical system configurations are managed, potentially allowing full compromise of the WordPress site's rating functionality and associated data.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for privilege escalation and persistent threats, as attackers can use such vulnerabilities to establish footholds within the WordPress administration environment. Organizations should immediately implement input validation measures, including proper HTML escaping of all user-supplied parameters, and ensure that the GD Rating System plugin is updated to a version that addresses this specific vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy includes both immediate patching of the plugin and implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this particular XSS vector within the WordPress administrative interface.