CVE-2018-9864 in WP Live Chat Support
Summary
by MITRE
The WP Live Chat Support plugin before 8.0.06 for WordPress has stored XSS via the Name field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2020
The WP Live Chat Support plugin for WordPress contains a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in versions prior to 8.0.06 that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the Name field of chat sessions. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category for Cross-Site Scripting and represents a significant security risk for WordPress installations using the affected plugin version. The flaw enables persistent XSS attacks where malicious code injected by an attacker can execute in the browsers of other users who view the chat logs or interact with the live chat interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user input from the Name field is stored in the WordPress database without proper sanitization or output encoding. When administrators or other users view chat logs or interact with the live chat interface, the unsanitized input is rendered directly into HTML pages, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists in the database and affects multiple users over time rather than requiring a specific request to trigger the exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or extract sensitive information from the WordPress admin interface. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, modify chat data, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The persistent nature of stored XSS makes this particularly dangerous as it affects anyone who views the compromised chat logs or interacts with the live chat feature, potentially compromising multiple users over extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to WP Live Chat Support plugin version 8.0.06 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation for all user-supplied data, apply Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and conduct regular security audits of WordPress plugins to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications. The fix implemented in version 8.0.06 should include proper HTML escaping of user input before storage and rendering, ensuring that any potentially malicious scripts are neutralized before being displayed to users.