CVE-2018-9020 in Events Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Events Manager plugin before 5.8.1.2 for WordPress allows XSS via the events-manager.js mapTitle parameter in the Google Maps miniature.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9020 affects the Events Manager plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 5.8.1.2, presenting a cross-site scripting vulnerability through the events-manager.js file. This issue arises from improper input validation and sanitization within the Google Maps miniature functionality, creating a security exposure that could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser.
The technical flaw manifests in the mapTitle parameter of the events-manager.js file, which processes user-supplied data without adequate sanitization before rendering it in the Google Maps miniature display. When users interact with events that contain maliciously crafted titles or descriptions, the plugin fails to properly escape or filter special characters, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the browser context of authenticated users. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic case of insufficient output escaping in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to cookie theft, redirection to malicious sites, defacement of event listings, and potential privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to compromise user sessions, inject malicious advertisements, or even gain administrative access to the WordPress installation if users with elevated privileges interact with the compromised events. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the core functionality of event management systems, making it difficult for administrators to detect malicious activity within legitimate-looking event listings.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9020 primarily involve immediate patching of the Events Manager plugin to version 5.8.1.2 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts, regular security audits of WordPress plugins, and monitoring of user-generated content for suspicious patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, highlighting the need for comprehensive security practices throughout the application lifecycle. Administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other plugins or custom code within the WordPress environment.