CVE-2018-5368 in SrbTransLatin Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The SrbTransLatin plugin 1.46 for WordPress has CSRF via an srbtranslatoptions action to wp-admin/options-general.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2019
The CVE-2018-5368 vulnerability resides within the SrbTransLatin plugin version 1.46 for WordPress, representing a critical cross-site request forgery flaw that compromises the integrity of administrative operations. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of the srbtranslatoptions action parameter when processing requests through the wp-admin/options-general.php endpoint. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate WordPress administrative functions without proper authorization, exploiting the absence of adequate anti-CSRF protections within the plugin's implementation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to validate the origin of requests made to its administrative interface. When a user with administrative privileges visits a malicious page or clicks on a crafted link, the attacker can initiate unauthorized actions against the WordPress installation. The srbtranslatoptions parameter serves as the attack vector, allowing the execution of administrative functions such as modifying plugin settings or configuration parameters. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation and request origin verification mechanisms within the plugin's codebase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it provides attackers with the ability to alter critical plugin settings that may affect website functionality, content display, or user experience. An attacker could potentially disable the plugin, modify translation settings, or even establish persistent backdoors through configuration changes. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, typically involving a simple click on a malicious link while authenticated to the WordPress admin interface, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently browse untrusted websites or receive phishing emails.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of insufficient anti-CSRF protection mechanisms, which aligns with CWE-352 - Cross-Site Request Forgery. The issue demonstrates poor security practices in web application development where authentication tokens or request validation mechanisms are either absent or improperly implemented. Organizations using the affected plugin version should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the patched version, implementing additional security layers such as CSRF tokens in custom forms, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all installed plugins. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices and the necessity of regular plugin updates to protect against known exploits. This flaw represents a significant risk to WordPress installations and underscores the critical need for proper security validation in all administrative interfaces.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the SrbTransLatin plugin to version 1.47 or later, which addresses the CSRF vulnerability through proper token validation. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as role-based access controls, regular security scanning, and monitoring of administrative actions. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of following security best practices including input validation, request origin verification, and proper authentication mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security headers to provide additional protection against similar attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other plugins or custom code implementations.