CVE-2019-10864 in WP Statistics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The WP Statistics plugin through 12.6.2 for WordPress has XSS, allowing a remote attacker to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Referer header of a GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10864 affects the WP Statistics plugin version 12.6.2 and earlier within the WordPress ecosystem, representing a critical cross-site scripting weakness that exposes websites to remote code execution risks. This flaw resides in how the plugin processes incoming HTTP requests, specifically targeting the Referer header field that is commonly used to track visitor navigation sources. The vulnerability enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through seemingly legitimate web traffic, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring authentication or administrative privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the WP Statistics plugin codebase. When a user visits a WordPress site with this vulnerable plugin installed, the plugin records various statistics including referrer information from HTTP headers. The flaw occurs because the plugin fails to properly escape or filter the Referer header value before displaying it in web pages or logging it within the plugin's administrative interface. This improper handling creates an environment where maliciously crafted Referer headers can contain script tags or other HTML elements that execute when viewed by administrators or other users who access the plugin's statistics dashboard.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress website owners and their visitors. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can be combined with other attack vectors to create more sophisticated exploitation chains. When administrators view the statistics page containing the maliciously injected content, the scripts execute in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal admin session cookies, modify plugin settings, or even gain full administrative control of the WordPress installation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges to exploit and can be triggered simply by visiting a compromised website.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for the initial access phase through spearphishing attachments or links. Organizations using vulnerable versions of WP Statistics should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 12.6.3 or later, which contains proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious Referer headers, while security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in referrer data within web server logs. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution from untrusted sources, and regular security audits of installed WordPress plugins should be conducted to identify other potential vulnerabilities that may exist in third-party components.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web applications, particularly in plugins that handle user data or external inputs. The WP Statistics plugin's failure to adequately sanitize the Referer header represents a classic example of how seemingly innocuous data processing can create significant security risks. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely updates of WordPress core and plugin components, as well as establishing security awareness training for administrators to recognize potential social engineering attempts that may exploit such vulnerabilities. Regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments should include examination of plugin security configurations to prevent similar issues from being introduced into production environments.