CVE-2019-15817 in easy-property-listings Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The easy-property-listings plugin before 3.4 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-15817 affects the easy-property-listings plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 3.4, and represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that poses significant security risks to WordPress installations. This issue falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output escaping within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin processes property listing data submitted through WordPress admin interfaces or frontend forms without proper sanitization of input parameters. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads containing script tags or other malicious code within property details, descriptions, or other user-editable fields. When other users view these compromised listings, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a plugin that handles sensitive property data, making it attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise real estate websites and their visitors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities within the context of affected WordPress sites. Users with administrative privileges who view compromised property listings could have their sessions hijacked, allowing full control over the website's content management system. Additionally, the vulnerability could facilitate data exfiltration attacks where sensitive property information is stolen through beaconing or other data collection mechanisms embedded in the injected scripts. The ease with which this vulnerability can be exploited makes it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with property listings, as a single compromised entry can affect numerous visitors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15817 should prioritize immediate patching to version 3.4 or later of the easy-property-listings plugin, as this resolves the underlying input validation and output escaping issues. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, enforcement of strict input validation policies, and monitoring for suspicious activity in property listing submissions. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments and T1059.001 for command and control through script injection, highlighting the multi-vector nature of the threat. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection, while regular security training for content editors can help prevent accidental exploitation through social engineering attacks targeting plugin administrators.