CVE-2019-20181 in awesome-support Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The awesome-support plugin 5.8.0 for WordPress allows XSS via the post_title parameter.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2024
The CVE-2019-20181 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw in the awesome-support WordPress plugin version 5.8.0, which poses significant security risks to WordPress websites relying on this support ticketing system. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of user input within the post_title parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's response. The flaw exists within the plugin's processing of ticket titles, where insufficient input sanitization allows crafted payloads to persist and execute when rendered in the user interface. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of stored cross-site scripting as the malicious content can be stored on the server and executed whenever users view affected pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious post_title parameter containing JavaScript code or other malicious scripts that get processed and stored within the plugin's database. When legitimate users access the ticket management interface or related pages, their browsers execute the injected scripts within the context of their authenticated sessions. This allows attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or modifying the user interface to capture credentials. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the awesome-support plugin typically runs with elevated privileges in WordPress environments, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges or access sensitive data. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-20181 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to compromise entire WordPress installations through session hijacking and privilege escalation techniques. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to support ticket systems, potentially gaining access to sensitive customer information, internal communications, and support data that could be valuable for further attacks. The vulnerability also affects the integrity of the user experience, as malicious scripts can modify the interface to display false information or redirect users to phishing sites. Organizations using this plugin face potential regulatory compliance issues if customer data is compromised, and the attack surface increases significantly when considering that WordPress plugins often have access to extensive system resources and user data. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002: Phishing for Information, as attackers can use the XSS to capture user credentials or sensitive data through manipulated interface elements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-20181 should include immediate patching of the awesome-support plugin to version 5.8.1 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Administrators should also implement proper input validation and output encoding measures, particularly for user-generated content in the post_title field. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting plugin capabilities and ensuring that the plugin only has access to necessary resources. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they are not a substitute for proper code-level fixes. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and input sanitization should be implemented consistently across all user-facing parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to limit script execution capabilities and monitor for suspicious activity in support ticket systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating and sanitizing all user inputs in web applications, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security principles, particularly the importance of preventing injection flaws that can lead to XSS attacks.