CVE-2020-14959 in Easy Testimonials Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple XSS vulnerabilities in the Easy Testimonials plugin before 3.6 for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the wp-admin/post.php Client Name, Position, Web Address, Other, Location Reviewed, Product Reviewed, Item Reviewed, or Rating parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2020
The CVE-2020-14959 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Easy Testimonials WordPress plugin affecting versions prior to 3.6. This vulnerability resides within the administrative interface of the plugin where user input is processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw specifically impacts the wp-admin/post.php endpoint where multiple parameters including Client Name, Position, Web Address, Other, Location Reviewed, Product Reviewed, Item Reviewed, and Rating fields are susceptible to malicious input injection. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is directly included in web pages without proper validation or encoding, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web application security gaps.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious JavaScript code through any of the affected parameters within the WordPress admin interface. When administrators or other users view the testimonials containing the injected scripts, the malicious code executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a foothold to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment, particularly when administrators interact with the compromised testimonial entries. The attack vector operates through standard HTTP requests where the malicious payload is embedded in the POST parameters, making it difficult to detect through conventional security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-14959 is significant for WordPress sites utilizing the Easy Testimonials plugin, as it allows attackers to compromise the administrative interface and potentially gain full control over the affected WordPress installation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal administrator sessions, modify or delete testimonial content, inject malicious scripts into the site's frontend, or even redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability's persistence in the database means that even after initial exploitation, the malicious code continues to execute whenever the compromised data is displayed, creating a long-term security risk for the affected organization. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1566 for Phishing, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts and potentially establish persistent access through social engineering.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-14959 focus primarily on immediate plugin updates to version 3.6 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should also implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious data from being stored in the database, particularly for admin interfaces where user input is processed. Web Application Firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts in POST parameters, while administrators should conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, and regular security monitoring should be established to detect unauthorized modifications to testimonial data. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and following secure coding practices that prevent the injection of untrusted data into web applications.