CVE-2019-14797 in Photo Gallery plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The 10Web Photo Gallery plugin before 1.5.23 for WordPress has authenticated stored XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The CVE-2019-14797 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the 10Web Photo Gallery plugin for WordPress systems, affecting versions prior to 1.5.23. This vulnerability manifests as an authenticated stored cross-site scripting flaw that allows attackers with valid user credentials to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's administrative interface. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, particularly in the photo gallery configuration and management sections. The vulnerability specifically impacts WordPress environments where the 10Web Photo Gallery plugin is installed and active, creating a persistent security risk that can affect multiple users within the same administrative environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input when processing gallery settings, image metadata, or other configurable parameters. When an authenticated user with sufficient privileges submits malicious content through the plugin's interface, the data is stored in the WordPress database without adequate sanitization. Subsequently, when other users access the affected administrative pages or gallery displays, the stored malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised systems. This stored XSS vulnerability operates through the standard XSS attack vector where malicious JavaScript code is embedded in legitimate web pages and executed by unsuspecting users.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-14797 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment and potentially gain access to sensitive administrative functions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to modify gallery configurations, inject malicious code into public-facing gallery pages, or redirect users to phishing sites designed to capture credentials. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers need only obtain valid user credentials, which may be acquired through various means including credential stuffing, social engineering, or previous compromises. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where administrative accounts have broad privileges or where users maintain persistent sessions.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to version 1.5.23 or later of the 10Web Photo Gallery plugin to address the stored XSS flaw. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect any suspicious activities in the plugin's administrative sections, and regular security audits should be conducted to verify the integrity of installed plugins and themes. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, while implementing web application firewalls can provide additional protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a technique commonly used in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for scripting languages and T1566 for credential access through social engineering, demonstrating how this vulnerability can serve as a vector for broader compromise within WordPress environments.