CVE-2019-20141 in Neon Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
An XSS issue was discovered in the Laborator Neon theme 2.0 for WordPress via the data/autosuggest-remote.php q parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2019-20141 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Laborator Neon theme version 2.0 for WordPress platforms. This security weakness resides in the data/autosuggest-remote.php script where user input is improperly handled through the q parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into web applications. The vulnerability specifically affects WordPress users who have installed the Laborator Neon theme, making it a targeted issue within the WordPress ecosystem where theme-based security flaws can significantly impact site integrity and user safety.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code and passes it through the q parameter in the autosuggest-remote.php endpoint. This parameter fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before processing, allowing the injected scripts to execute within the context of other users' browsers who access the vulnerable WordPress site. The flaw falls under the category of reflected cross-site scripting as the malicious payload is reflected back to users through the vulnerable script endpoint, making it particularly dangerous for web applications where user interaction is common.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive cookies, or redirect users to malicious sites. Given that WordPress themes often handle user interface elements and dynamic content, the compromise of the Laborator Neon theme could affect multiple users simultaneously, especially if the theme is widely deployed across different WordPress installations. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to website administrators and their visitors, as it allows for unauthorized code execution within legitimate user sessions without requiring authentication or elevated privileges.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all parameters passed to the autosuggest-remote.php endpoint. The recommended approach involves sanitizing the q parameter through proper escaping mechanisms before processing, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is neutralized before being rendered to users. Additionally, the theme developers should update their code to follow secure coding practices as outlined in CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar scripting attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code in user browsers, highlighting the importance of comprehensive defensive measures.