CVE-2018-5312 in tabs-responsive Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The tabs-responsive plugin 1.8.0 for WordPress has XSS via the post_title parameter to wp-admin/post.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5312 affects the tabs-responsive plugin version 1.8.0 for WordPress, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of affected user sessions. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the post_title parameter within the wp-admin/post.php endpoint, which fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before rendering it in the web page context. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the plugin's handling of administrative post data, creating a pathway for persistent or reflected cross-site scripting attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to implement proper security controls when processing the post_title parameter. When administrators or users access the post editing interface, the plugin retrieves the post title value and directly incorporates it into the HTML output without appropriate sanitization measures. This allows attackers to inject malicious script code that gets executed when other users view the affected posts or administrative interfaces. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the improper handling of user-supplied data in web applications. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially escalate privileges or steal session cookies.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress administrators and content creators who use the tabs-responsive plugin. An attacker could exploit this flaw to inject malicious scripts that could steal administrator credentials, perform unauthorized actions within the WordPress administration panel, or redirect users to malicious websites. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the attack requires user interaction with a specially crafted URL containing the malicious payload, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or when users are tricked into clicking infected links within the WordPress admin environment. The vulnerability affects the entire WordPress ecosystem where the plugin is installed, potentially compromising multiple user accounts and administrative privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5312 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the original vulnerable version 1.8.0 lacks proper input sanitization. Administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other custom plugins or themes. The recommended defense-in-depth approach includes enabling Content Security Policy headers, implementing proper input sanitization routines, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Web Application Firewall rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability pattern. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 - Data from Information Repositories, as it allows attackers to potentially access sensitive administrative data through session manipulation and privilege escalation. Security teams should also monitor for exploitation attempts using threat intelligence feeds that track indicators of compromise related to this specific vulnerability. The incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining updated WordPress plugins and implementing robust security controls to prevent unauthorized access to administrative interfaces and sensitive user data.