CVE-2018-5292 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-information page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2019
The GD Rating System plugin version 2.3 for WordPress contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper input validation within the administrative interface. This flaw specifically manifests when processing the panel parameter in the wp-admin/admin.php URL structure, particularly affecting the gd-rating-system-information page. The vulnerability represents a classic instance of insufficient input sanitization where user-supplied data flows directly into the HTTP response without adequate encoding or validation mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads in the panel parameter that will be executed in the context of other users' browsers who access the affected administrative page. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. This type of vulnerability enables threat actors to perform session hijacking, deface the administrative interface, or redirect users to malicious domains. The impact is particularly concerning within WordPress environments where administrators frequently access the admin panel with elevated privileges, making the exploitation of such vulnerabilities especially dangerous. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege and proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the panel parameter in the wp-admin/admin.php URL path. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing script code within this parameter and the vulnerable page is accessed, the script executes in the browser context of authenticated users. This allows for arbitrary code execution within the browser session, potentially enabling attackers to steal cookies, modify administrative settings, or inject malicious content into the WordPress dashboard. The flaw specifically affects the gd-rating-system-information page which likely displays system information or plugin details, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain insights into the WordPress environment. The vulnerability can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1547.001 for registry run keys or startup folder, though the primary concern here is the execution of malicious scripts in the browser context. The lack of proper sanitization means that HTML and JavaScript code can be injected directly into the page output, bypassing standard security controls. This represents a failure in the application's defense-in-depth strategy, as multiple layers of protection should have been in place to prevent such injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential privilege escalation and data compromise within WordPress environments. Administrators who visit the affected page with maliciously crafted parameters could unknowingly execute attacker-controlled code in their browser sessions, leading to complete compromise of the WordPress administrative interface. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit the XSS condition itself, though the actual impact depends on the privileges of the user visiting the page. The vulnerability can be leveraged to perform persistent attacks against the WordPress installation, potentially allowing attackers to modify plugin settings, inject malicious code into posts or pages, or even install backdoors. Organizations using WordPress with the GD Rating System plugin are at risk of having their administrative interfaces compromised, which could lead to complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the WordPress admin interface and can undermine the trust model of the entire content management system. Security monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns in admin panel access, particularly when users access pages with parameters containing script code or other suspicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should begin with immediate patching of the GD Rating System plugin to version 2.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS flaw. Organizations should implement strict input validation and output encoding measures for all user-supplied data within the WordPress admin interface, particularly in administrative URLs. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution even if other defenses fail. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify other potential injection points within WordPress plugins and themes, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input sanitization across all application components. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting known XSS patterns. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices and the importance of regular security assessments for WordPress installations. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts by watching for unusual URL patterns in web server logs, particularly those containing script tags or other XSS payloads. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of visiting suspicious administrative URLs and the importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated should be emphasized. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor components like rating systems can present significant security risks when not properly secured against injection attacks.