CVE-2018-5369 in SrbTransLatin Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The SrbTransLatin plugin 1.46 for WordPress has XSS via an srbtranslatoptions action to wp-admin/options-general.php with a lang_identificator parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2019
The CVE-2018-5369 vulnerability resides within the SrbTransLatin plugin version 1.46 for WordPress, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the plugin's administrative interface. This vulnerability manifests when the plugin processes user input through the wp-admin/options-general.php page, specifically when handling the srbtranslatoptions action parameter alongside the lang_identificator parameter. The flaw demonstrates a classic input validation and output encoding weakness that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the WordPress administration panel, potentially compromising the entire site's security posture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the lang_identificator parameter within the plugin's administrative context. When an authenticated administrator or user with sufficient privileges accesses the plugin's settings page, the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied input before rendering it within the web page context. This omission creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious javascript code that executes in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly handled in web applications, and specifically corresponds to CWE-79-2, indicating the presence of reflected cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.
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. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially escalate privileges, modify plugin configurations, or even gain complete control over the WordPress installation if the administrative session is not properly protected. The vulnerability affects the plugin's ability to maintain secure input handling, creating a persistent threat vector that could be exploited by attackers who have gained access to the WordPress administrative interface or by those who can manipulate user sessions within the environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that WordPress plugins often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5369 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected SrbTransLatin plugin to version 1.47 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that ensure all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in the web interface, aligning with the principles of secure coding practices outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns targeting known XSS vulnerabilities, though such measures should complement rather than replace proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining updated WordPress plugins and following the principle of least privilege, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to administrative functions. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual parameter values being passed to administrative interfaces, and regular security audits should verify that all plugins and themes properly handle user input. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1213 - Data from Information Repositories, as it represents an attack vector that could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive administrative data and functions within the WordPress environment.