CVE-2019-15112 in wp-slimstat Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-slimstat plugin before 4.8.1 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The wp-slimstat plugin vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that affects WordPress installations using versions prior to 4.8.1. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user input and data processing mechanisms, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the plugin's administrative interfaces. The flaw specifically manifests when the plugin processes and displays user-supplied data without proper sanitization or output encoding, enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated admin sessions.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates as a classic reflected cross-site scripting attack where malicious input is processed by the plugin and subsequently rendered back to users without appropriate security measures. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input data, which directly enables malicious code execution. The flaw typically occurs when administrators view reports or statistics generated by the plugin, as these interfaces often display user-contributed data that is not properly escaped before presentation. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit this weakness by manipulating input parameters or by injecting malicious data through the plugin's tracking mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete administrative compromise of WordPress installations. When an attacker successfully exploits this XSS vulnerability, they can steal session cookies, modify plugin configurations, inject backdoors, or perform actions with full administrative privileges. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on wp-slimstat for analytics and tracking, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication to the WordPress admin panel. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the plugin's data collection features often process information from various sources, including user browsers and external tracking parameters that may contain malicious content.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1059.001 technique for command and control through scripting. The vulnerability enables attackers to establish persistent access through malicious script injection, potentially allowing for data exfiltration, lateral movement, or further exploitation of the compromised system. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected installations, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without user interaction. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to wp-slimstat version 4.8.1 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security monitoring can provide additional defense layers against exploitation attempts.