CVE-2019-9908 in font-organizer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The font-organizer plugin 2.1.1 for WordPress has wp-admin/options-general.php manage_font_id XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9908 affects the font-organizer plugin version 2.1.1 for WordPress, specifically targeting the wp-admin/options-general.php endpoint where the manage_font_id parameter is susceptible to cross-site scripting attacks. This represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the administrative interface of WordPress sites using this plugin, potentially compromising the entire blogging platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping within the plugin's handling of the manage_font_id parameter. When administrators navigate to the font management section of the WordPress admin panel, the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the HTML output. This oversight creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute within the context of the administrator's browser session, leveraging the privileges of the logged-in user to perform unauthorized actions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress site security as it enables attackers to escalate privileges and potentially gain complete control over affected websites. The XSS vulnerability allows threat actors to execute malicious JavaScript code in the administrator's browser, which could lead to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or the installation of additional malware. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as attackers can manipulate the administrative interface to modify font configurations, potentially disrupting site functionality or creating backdoors for persistent access.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and follows patterns commonly associated with the ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. Security professionals should note that this issue particularly affects WordPress environments where the font-organizer plugin is installed and actively used, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns targeting content management systems.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the font-organizer plugin to version 2.1.2 or later, which addresses the XSS vulnerability through proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement proper web application firewall rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the specific parameter, while conducting thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing security headers such as Content Security Policy to reduce the impact of potential XSS exploits, and regularly monitor their systems for signs of unauthorized access or configuration changes.