CVE-2018-5293 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-tools 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 insufficient input validation and output encoding within the administrative interface. This flaw specifically affects the wp-admin/admin.php panel when accessing the gd-rating-system-tools page, creating a persistent vector for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's administrative environment. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters before rendering them in the web page context, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the browser of authenticated administrators who visit the compromised page.
This security weakness represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a fundamental web application security flaw. The vulnerability operates within the context of a privileged administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers who have gained access to legitimate administrator credentials or who can manipulate the administrative workflow. The attack vector specifically targets the administrative panel where plugin tools are managed, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to compromise WordPress sites with this particular plugin installed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive administrative functions and data within the WordPress environment. When an authenticated administrator visits the affected page, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, modify plugin settings, access sensitive data, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal effort from attackers who can craft malicious URLs containing the XSS payload and either trick administrators into visiting these pages or gain access through other means to inject the payload into the administrative workflow.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate plugin updates to versions that properly address the input validation issues and implement appropriate output encoding for all administrative parameters. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block known XSS attack patterns targeting WordPress administrative interfaces. Additionally, administrators should enforce strict access controls and monitoring of administrative activities, implementing multi-factor authentication and regular security audits of installed plugins. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the updated plugin properly sanitizes all input parameters and that no similar vulnerabilities exist within the plugin's codebase, following security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for web application security.