CVE-2019-14366 in WP SlackSync Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
WP SlackSync plugin through 1.8.5 for WordPress leaks a Slack Access Token in source code. An attacker can obtain a lot of information about the victim's Slack (channels, members, etc.).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2024
The WP SlackSync plugin vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw that affects versions 1.8.5 and earlier of this popular WordPress extension. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of Slack API credentials within the WordPress environment, creating a persistent security risk for users who rely on the plugin for Slack integration. The flaw manifests when the plugin stores and exposes Slack access tokens in the HTML source code of web pages, making these sensitive credentials accessible to any attacker who can observe the page source or intercept network traffic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper credential management within the plugin's codebase, where Slack access tokens are written directly to the page output without adequate sanitization or security measures. This design flaw allows attackers to extract the access token by simply viewing the page source code, which then provides them with full programmatic access to the victim's Slack workspace. The token leakage occurs during normal plugin operation when the WordPress site renders pages that include Slack integration functionality, making the vulnerability particularly insidious as it operates within legitimate user workflows.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft, as the leaked Slack access token grants attackers comprehensive access to the victim's Slack environment including all channels, members, messages, and workspace configurations. This access enables attackers to perform various malicious activities such as reading private messages, posting spam content, modifying channel settings, and potentially escalating their privileges within the Slack organization. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but entire organizations that rely on Slack for business communication, as the compromised token can be used to access sensitive corporate information and disrupt business operations.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and represents a classic case of insecure credential storage in web applications. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1531 (Signin Package) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when attackers use the compromised credentials to establish persistent access and exfiltrate data. Organizations should immediately update to the patched version of the WP SlackSync plugin and rotate all affected Slack access tokens to prevent unauthorized access. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block source code leakage, conducting regular security audits of WordPress plugins, and establishing strict access control policies for Slack workspaces. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure credential handling in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party plugins before deployment in production environments.