CVE-2019-20180 in TablePress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The TablePress plugin 1.9.2 for WordPress allows tablepress[data] CSV injection by Editor users. Note: The vendor disputes this issue and argues that this responsibility lies with the application that opens the CSV file and not TablePress.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20180 affects the TablePress plugin version 1.9.2 for WordPress, presenting a csv injection risk that can be exploited by users with editor privileges. This security flaw represents a significant concern for WordPress administrators who rely on the plugin for data table management and presentation. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of CSV data imports, creating a potential attack vector that could be leveraged to execute malicious code or manipulate data within the WordPress environment. The issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's data processing pipeline, particularly when handling user-supplied CSV content that includes potentially harmful payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize or escape special characters within CSV data before processing or storing user input. When editor users import or create tables using CSV data, the plugin does not adequately validate the content to prevent the execution of malicious commands that could be embedded within the CSV file. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, though more specifically relates to CWE-74 which addresses Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component. The flaw allows attackers to inject code that executes when the CSV file is opened by applications that interpret the file content as executable commands, creating a potential vector for privilege escalation and data manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it enables malicious actors with editor-level access to potentially compromise entire WordPress installations. Attackers could exploit this weakness to inject malicious formulas or commands that execute when the CSV data is opened in spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. This creates a scenario where users who download and open the malicious CSV files could inadvertently execute harmful code on their systems. The vulnerability also poses risks to data integrity and confidentiality, as attackers could manipulate table data or potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the WordPress database. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact method for establishing persistent access or conducting data exfiltration operations.
The vendor's response dismissing the issue as application-level responsibility aligns with certain security frameworks that differentiate between server-side and client-side vulnerabilities. However, this approach overlooks the fundamental principle of defense in depth, where plugins should implement proper input validation regardless of downstream application behavior. The ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.008 for Command and Scripting Interpreter could be applicable here, as the vulnerability enables command execution through CSV file manipulation. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as file upload restrictions, content validation, and user access controls to mitigate the risk. Proper input sanitization and output encoding practices, as recommended by OWASP guidelines, should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and penetration testing to identify potential attack vectors within WordPress plugins and themes.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive security testing of third-party plugins, particularly those that handle user-generated content. The risk assessment should include both server-side and client-side implications, ensuring that security measures are implemented at multiple layers of the application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the need for continuous security education for developers and administrators working with WordPress environments.