CVE-2018-5652 in dark-mode Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the dark-mode plugin 1.6 for WordPress. XSS exists via the wp-admin/profile.php dark_mode_end parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5652 resides within the dark-mode plugin version 1.6 for WordPress, representing a critical cross-site scripting weakness that directly impacts the administrative interface of WordPress installations. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the wp-admin/profile.php endpoint where the dark_mode_end parameter fails to properly sanitize user input, creating an exploitable vector for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts into the administrative environment. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses that occur when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or escaping mechanisms, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the WordPress administrative context where the dark_mode_end parameter is processed. When an authenticated administrator visits the profile page with a malicious payload in the dark_mode_end parameter, the injected scripts execute with the administrator's privileges, potentially enabling full compromise of the WordPress installation. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on WordPress for content management, as the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering or by compromising administrative credentials to deliver malicious payloads that persist in the administrative interface. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.002, which covers privilege escalation through abuse of administrative credentials, and T1165, which involves the use of web shells for maintaining access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5652 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that properly sanitize the dark_mode_end parameter and implement input validation measures that prevent the injection of malicious scripts. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities within the WordPress administrative interface, and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous activity in the wp-admin/profile.php endpoint. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of the WordPress ecosystem, as this vulnerability type often indicates broader sanitization issues within the plugin's codebase. The remediation process should also include reviewing user permissions and implementing multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of unauthorized access that could enable exploitation of this vulnerability.