CVE-2018-5665 in responsive-coming-soon-page Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the responsive-coming-soon-page plugin 1.1.18 for WordPress. XSS exists via the wp-admin/admin.php logo_height parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5665 resides within the responsive-coming-soon-page plugin version 1.1.18 for WordPress, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that poses significant security risks to affected systems. This issue manifests through the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint where the logo_height parameter fails to properly sanitize user input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into the administrative interface. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of parameters within the WordPress admin environment, making it particularly dangerous as it operates within the privileged administrative context where users typically have elevated permissions and access to sensitive system functions.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's administrative interface. When administrators navigate to the wp-admin/admin.php page and interact with parameters related to logo_height, the plugin fails to properly escape or filter the input before rendering it in the HTML output. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes within the context of the administrator's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, privilege escalation, or further exploitation of the compromised administrative account. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as a critical security weakness in web applications, specifically addressing the improper handling of untrusted data in web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete administrative account compromise and potential system-wide infiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains the ability to perform actions with the privileges of the compromised administrator, including modifying plugin configurations, accessing sensitive data, installing malicious plugins, or even executing arbitrary code on the server. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the WordPress administrative interface, where users typically have the highest level of system access and control. This vulnerability can be exploited through various means including phishing attacks, where administrators are tricked into clicking malicious links, or through direct exploitation if the attacker has access to the administrative interface. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving credential access and privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5665 require immediate action including updating to the latest version of the responsive-coming-soon-page plugin where the vulnerability has been patched. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as input validation on the WordPress level, implementing content security policies to limit script execution, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other installed plugins and themes. The WordPress security team recommends maintaining updated software versions and following security best practices including limiting administrative privileges, implementing multi-factor authentication, and regularly reviewing plugin and theme security. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and provide additional layers of defense against such vulnerabilities.