CVE-2019-15858 in Woody Ad Snippets Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
admin/includes/class.import.snippet.php in the "Woody ad snippets" plugin before 2.2.5 for WordPress allows unauthenticated options import, as demonstrated by storing an XSS payload for remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15858 affects the Woody ad snippets plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions prior to 2.2.5. This security flaw resides within the admin/includes/class.import.snippet.php file and represents a critical authorization bypass issue that allows unauthenticated users to perform administrative actions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls during the import process, enabling malicious actors to inject malicious code through the import functionality without requiring valid authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a lack of proper authentication checks within the import mechanism of the WordPress plugin. When the import.snippet.php file processes incoming data, it fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges. This absence of authentication validation creates an exploitable entry point where any remote attacker can submit malicious payloads through the import functionality. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for the storage of cross-site scripting payloads that can be executed in the context of an administrator's browser session, effectively providing attackers with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS execution to potentially enable full administrative compromise of WordPress installations. Once an attacker successfully injects an XSS payload through the import mechanism, they can execute arbitrary code within the administrator's browser context, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-862, which describes insufficient authorization, and represents a significant weakness in the plugin's access control implementation. The attack vector demonstrates the principles outlined in the ATT&CK framework under T1078, specifically focusing on valid accounts and legitimate credentials for persistence and privilege escalation.
The security implications of this vulnerability are severe as it undermines the fundamental security model of WordPress plugins by allowing unauthenticated users to perform administrative functions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to inject malicious code that persists in the WordPress database, potentially affecting all users who view the compromised content. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire WordPress installation, as the stored XSS payloads can be executed in the context of administrator sessions, providing attackers with the ability to modify plugin settings, access sensitive data, or even install additional malicious components. Organizations using affected versions of the Woody ad snippets plugin should immediately implement mitigations including plugin updates, network-based restrictions, and enhanced monitoring of import-related activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching to version 2.2.5 or later, which addresses the authentication bypass issue through proper access control validation. Additionally, administrators should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to plugin import functionality, particularly within the WordPress admin area. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to administrative functions, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws in other plugins and themes. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious import activities, while maintaining detailed logging of all administrative actions to detect potential exploitation attempts.