CVE-2018-6466 in flickrRSS Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in flickrRSS.php in the flickrRSS plugin 5.3.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the flickrRSS_set parameter to wp-admin/options-general.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2020
The CVE-2018-6466 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the flickrRSS WordPress plugin version 5.3.1, specifically targeting the flickrRSS.php component. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's administrative interface where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed and rendered back to users. The flaw manifests when attackers exploit the flickrRSS_set parameter through the wp-admin/options-general.php endpoint, enabling them to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated admin sessions.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a code injection attack where malicious scripts are executed in the victim's browser. The attack vector specifically targets the WordPress administration panel, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers who have gained access to the WordPress admin interface or who can manipulate users into executing malicious payloads. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because it affects the admin interface where privileged users perform critical configuration tasks, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges or compromise the entire WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, session hijacking, and unauthorized modifications to the WordPress configuration. When an administrator visits the affected page with malicious content injected through the flickrRSS_set parameter, the injected scripts execute within the admin context, potentially allowing attackers to modify plugin settings, add malicious code to the site, or even gain full administrative control. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges beyond access to the WordPress admin interface, making it accessible to attackers who can perform basic administrative tasks or who can trick administrators into visiting malicious pages.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including immediate patching of the flickrRSS plugin to version 5.3.2 or later where the XSS flaw has been addressed. Additionally, administrators should enforce strict input validation and output encoding practices within WordPress plugins, particularly in administrative interfaces where user-supplied data is processed. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top 10 and the MITRE ATT&CK framework's web application attack patterns, where XSS vulnerabilities are categorized as persistent threats that require careful input sanitization. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, and conduct regular security audits of WordPress plugins to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other third-party components.