CVE-2019-15836 in wp-ultimate-recipe Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-ultimate-recipe plugin before 3.12.7 for WordPress has stored XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2023
The wp-ultimate-recipe plugin vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that affects WordPress installations using versions prior to 3.12.7. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user input data, specifically in how it processes and stores recipe ingredients, instructions, and other user-contributed content. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's database storage, which then executes whenever other users view the affected recipe content. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic failure in input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms, creating a persistent security risk that can affect multiple users within the same WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this stored XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the plugin's backend processing functions. When users submit recipe information through the WordPress admin interface, the plugin fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This occurs particularly when processing fields containing ingredient lists, preparation steps, or any user-generated content that might contain malicious payloads. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically manifesting as a stored XSS attack vector where malicious code is permanently stored in the database rather than being reflected in a single request. The attack requires minimal privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who have contributor access or higher within the WordPress system.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-15836 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it creates potential for significant security breaches within affected WordPress environments. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts that steal authentication cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of logged-in users. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that even users who are not actively logged in could be affected when they view compromised recipe content, making the attack surface much broader than typical reflected XSS scenarios. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for credential access and T1566 for initial access through malicious content, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges or establish persistent access within the WordPress environment. The impact is particularly severe in multi-user environments where administrators might unknowingly view compromised content, leading to widespread session hijacking or privilege escalation attacks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to wp-ultimate-recipe plugin version 3.12.7 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. System administrators should also implement immediate monitoring of user activity within the WordPress admin interface to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly around recipe creation and modification activities. The remediation process should include thorough database scanning for any existing malicious payloads that may have been injected prior to the patch installation, as well as implementing proper content filtering and user access controls. Additional security measures such as web application firewalls, regular security audits, and user privilege reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other plugins or themes within the WordPress ecosystem, following the principle of least privilege and defense in depth security strategies.