CVE-2018-6468 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_id parameter to wp-admin/options-general.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6468 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the flickrRSS WordPress plugin version 5.3.1, specifically targeting the flickrRSS.php component. This security weakness 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 vulnerability manifests through the flickrRSS_id parameter which is passed through the wp-admin/options-general.php endpoint, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When administrators access the plugin settings page and provide malicious input through the flickrRSS_id parameter, the application fails to properly encode or filter the user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic HTML output. This omission creates an environment where attacker-controlled content can be injected directly into the web page, enabling the execution of malicious scripts within the browser context of authenticated users. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS issue according to CWE-79, which specifically addresses the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with significant privileges within the WordPress administrative environment. Since the vulnerability affects the wp-admin section of the WordPress installation, successful exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate plugin configurations, potentially leading to more severe consequences such as unauthorized content modification, user account compromise, or even full administrative control of the WordPress site. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond navigating to the affected administrative page, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators regularly access plugin settings. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage through web-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6468 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the original vulnerable version 5.3.1 has been superseded by patched releases. Administrators should also implement proper input validation and output encoding practices within their WordPress installations, ensuring that all user-provided data undergoes strict sanitization before being processed or displayed. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, limiting administrative privileges to reduce the potential impact of successful attacks, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting known XSS attack patterns, while maintaining comprehensive monitoring of administrative access logs to identify suspicious activities related to plugin configuration changes.