CVE-2020-24145 in CM Download Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/07/2021
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the CM Download Manager (aka cm-download-manager) plugin 2.7.0 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted deletescreenshot action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2021
The CVE-2020-24145 vulnerability represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the CM Download Manager WordPress plugin version 2.7.0, exposing websites to potential remote code execution and user data compromise. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of the deletescreenshot action parameter, which lacks proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations relying on this plugin. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that has been consistently ranked among the top ten web application security risks by OWASP.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the deletescreenshot action parameter. When a victim with administrative privileges or regular users accesses this specially crafted URL, the malicious script executes within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the affected WordPress installation. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into the web page response without proper sanitization or encoding. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which involves phishing with malicious attachments, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through compromised download manager interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-24145 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment and access sensitive user data. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to steal administrator cookies, modify plugin settings, or even inject backdoors into the affected WordPress installation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with basic web application exploitation knowledge. Organizations using the CM Download Manager plugin version 2.7.0 face significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. The vulnerability affects not only the plugin's functionality but also the broader security posture of WordPress installations, as it provides a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-24145 should include immediate plugin updates to version 2.7.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. System administrators should also implement input validation and output encoding mechanisms at the application level to prevent similar issues in other components. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that restrict script execution, monitoring for suspicious activity in plugin-related URLs, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and regular security assessments. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting known vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins.