CVE-2019-15769 in handl-utm-grabber Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The handl-utm-grabber plugin before 2.6.5 for WordPress has CSRF via add_option and update_option.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2023
The CVE-2019-15769 vulnerability affects the handl-utm-grabber WordPress plugin version 2.6.4 and earlier, representing a critical cross-site request forgery weakness that compromises the integrity of WordPress site configurations. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of administrative functions through the add_option and update_option WordPress API calls, which are fundamental mechanisms for managing plugin settings and options within the WordPress ecosystem. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with minimal privileges to manipulate plugin configurations without proper authorization, potentially leading to unauthorized changes in website behavior and data handling.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper nonce validation when processing administrative requests through the add_option and update_option functions. In WordPress security architecture, nonces serve as time-based tokens that verify the authenticity of administrative actions and prevent unauthorized modifications. When these validation mechanisms are absent or improperly implemented, attackers can craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress system, exploiting the trust relationship between the plugin and the WordPress core. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the plugin's administrative interface, where configuration changes are processed through standard WordPress option management functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it can enable attackers to modify UTM tracking parameters, alter analytics data collection, or manipulate plugin behavior in ways that could compromise data integrity and user privacy. Given that UTM parameters are commonly used for marketing analytics and campaign tracking, an attacker could potentially redirect tracking data to malicious endpoints or manipulate campaign performance metrics. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations running the affected plugin version, creating widespread exposure across numerous websites that rely on UTM tracking for marketing analytics and user behavior analysis. This risk is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where WordPress sites serve as critical components of marketing infrastructure and data collection systems.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15769 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 2.6.5 or later, which contain the necessary nonce validation fixes. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular plugin vulnerability scanning, monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes, and maintaining up-to-date WordPress core installations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications, and represents a common pattern of insufficient validation in WordPress plugin development that violates the principle of least privilege. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as it allows for privilege escalation through legitimate administrative functions while potentially enabling further attack vectors through manipulated tracking data. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious administrative requests that could indicate exploitation attempts.