CVE-2019-17599 in quiz-master-next Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The quiz-master-next (aka Quiz And Survey Master) plugin before 6.3.5 for WordPress is affected by: Cross Site Scripting (XSS). The impact is: Allows an attacker to execute arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code via the from or till parameter (and/or the quiz_id parameter). The component is: admin/quiz-options-page.php. The attack vector is: When the Administrator is logged in, a reflected XSS may execute upon a click on a malicious URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2024
The CVE-2019-17599 vulnerability affects the quiz-master-next WordPress plugin, specifically versions prior to 6.3.5, presenting a critical cross site scripting flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious code into the plugin's administrative interface. This vulnerability exists within the admin/quiz-options-page.php component and represents a reflected XSS attack vector that can be exploited when administrators access maliciously crafted URLs. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization of user-supplied parameters, particularly the from, till, and quiz_id parameters that are processed without proper HTML escaping or context-aware encoding. The flaw allows an attacker to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the context of the administrator's browser session, potentially leading to complete compromise of the WordPress installation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross site scripting weaknesses in web applications, and represents a significant security risk given that it targets administrative interfaces where attackers can gain elevated privileges. The attack requires minimal user interaction as the malicious payload executes automatically upon the administrator clicking a crafted URL, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently visit external links or are targeted through social engineering campaigns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection, as it creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary commands within the WordPress environment. When an administrator clicks on a malicious URL containing the crafted XSS payload, the injected JavaScript code executes in their browser session, potentially allowing attackers to steal authentication cookies, modify plugin settings, or even install malware. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code is not stored on the server but rather injected through the URL parameters, making it harder to detect through traditional security scanning methods. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the administrative context of the plugin, which typically has elevated privileges and access to sensitive data. The attack vector requires the administrator to be logged into the WordPress admin panel when visiting the malicious URL, but once exploited, the attacker can leverage the elevated privileges to perform actions such as creating new administrator accounts, modifying existing user permissions, or accessing confidential quiz data and user responses. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights the critical need for sanitizing all user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-17599 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 6.3.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that sanitize all parameters received from external sources, particularly those used in administrative interfaces. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed. Network-based security controls such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious parameter patterns that could indicate XSS attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing of WordPress installations should include checks for similar vulnerabilities in other plugins and themes, as this represents a common class of weakness in web applications. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of implementing principle of least privilege for WordPress administrators, ensuring that only necessary personnel have access to administrative functions and that multi-factor authentication is enabled for all administrator accounts. Additionally, security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual administrative activities that might indicate successful exploitation of such vulnerabilities, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing attacks that might be used to deliver the malicious payloads.