CVE-2019-17233 in ultimate-faqs Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Functions/EWD_UFAQ_Import.php in the ultimate-faqs plugin through 1.8.24 for WordPress allows HTML content injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17233 affects the ultimate-faqs WordPress plugin version 1.8.24 and earlier, specifically targeting the Functions/EWD_UFAQ_Import.php file. This issue represents a critical security flaw that enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML content into the plugin's import functionality, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the import processing mechanism, allowing attackers to execute malicious code through crafted HTML content that gets improperly handled during the import process.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data during import operations, creating an HTML injection vector that aligns with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. When administrators or users import FAQ data through the plugin interface, the system processes imported content without adequate filtering of potentially malicious HTML tags, attributes, or scripts. This weakness enables attackers to inject malicious payloads that can execute in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, cross-site scripting attacks, or more severe exploitation vectors depending on the target environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple HTML injection, as it provides attackers with a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could manipulate the plugin's behavior to redirect users to malicious websites, steal administrative credentials, or establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects not only the plugin's functionality but also compromises the overall security posture of WordPress sites, particularly those that rely heavily on user-generated content import features. This weakness is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrative privileges might be compromised, as it could enable privilege escalation attacks.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the ultimate-faqs plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, applying the official security update from the plugin developers, and implementing additional input validation measures. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious import requests, monitoring system logs for unusual import activities, and conducting thorough security audits of all WordPress plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, which emphasizes the need for robust validation mechanisms to prevent code injection attacks. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls for import functionality and regular security assessments of WordPress plugins can significantly reduce the risk exposure associated with such vulnerabilities.