CVE-2018-5655 in weblizar-pinterest-feeds Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the weblizar-pinterest-feeds plugin 1.1.1 for WordPress. XSS exists via the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php security parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5655 affects the weblizar-pinterest-feeds plugin version 1.1.1 for WordPress, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that can be exploited through the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint. This issue resides within the plugin's handling of the security parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into the WordPress administrative interface. The vulnerability specifically targets the WordPress ajax handling mechanism which is commonly used for asynchronous communication between the frontend and backend of WordPress installations. The exploitation occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize or validate input parameters passed through the admin-ajax.php endpoint, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of authenticated administrator sessions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The flaw exists in the plugin's parameter processing logic where the security parameter is not adequately filtered or escaped before being rendered in the administrative interface. This allows attackers to craft malicious requests that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, result in script execution within the browser of any user who views the affected administrative pages. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability targets the wp-admin area, which typically requires administrative privileges, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for WordPress installations. The attack vector leverages the legitimate WordPress ajax functionality, making the malicious requests appear to originate from trusted sources within the WordPress ecosystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, modify administrative settings, or even install malware within the WordPress environment. When an administrator visits a page that triggers the vulnerable code path, the injected scripts execute with the highest privileges available to that user, potentially allowing complete compromise of the WordPress installation. This vulnerability also poses risks to the broader network if the compromised WordPress site serves as a pivot point for further attacks. The flaw affects all WordPress installations running the vulnerable plugin version, regardless of the underlying WordPress core version, making it a widespread concern for administrators who have not updated their plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate security best practices and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring complex attack chains or specialized tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5655 should begin with immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released patches to resolve the issue. Administrators should also implement proper input validation and output encoding measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom code, following the principle of least privilege and ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. The WordPress security community recommends monitoring plugin repositories for security updates and implementing regular security audits of installed plugins to identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions that can detect and block suspicious requests targeting known vulnerable endpoints. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping all WordPress components updated, as outdated plugins represent common attack vectors for sophisticated adversaries. Organizations should establish robust patch management processes that include regular testing and deployment of security updates across all WordPress installations to minimize exposure windows. The incident underscores the critical need for developers to follow secure coding practices and for administrators to maintain comprehensive security awareness regarding plugin security and the potential for privilege escalation through seemingly minor vulnerabilities.