CVE-2020-7947 in Auth0 Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the Login by Auth0 plugin before 4.0.0 for WordPress. It has numerous fields that can contain data that is pulled from different sources. One issue with this is that the data isn't sanitized, and no input validation is performed, before the exporting of the user data. This can lead to (at least) CSV injection if a crafted Excel document is uploaded.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7947 resides within the Login by Auth0 plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 4.0.0 and represents a critical security flaw that undermines data integrity and user privacy. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the plugin's data handling mechanisms, specifically when processing user information that originates from multiple sources. The plugin's architecture pulls data from various origins including user registration forms, authentication providers, and external identity sources, creating numerous potential entry points for malicious input that can compromise the system's security posture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper data sanitization during the user data export process, particularly when generating CSV files containing user information. When a malicious actor crafts a specially formatted Excel document or CSV file, the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize the input data before exporting it to a CSV format. This lack of sanitization creates a vector for CSV injection attacks, where malicious code embedded within user data fields can be executed when the CSV file is opened in spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-1237, which specifically addresses improper input validation in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution through malicious CSV files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code on victim systems through spreadsheet applications, leading to complete system compromise. When users open the maliciously crafted CSV files, the embedded formulas can trigger unintended actions such as downloading malware, executing shell commands, or exfiltrating sensitive data from the victim's system. This risk is particularly severe in enterprise environments where administrators regularly process user data exports and may inadvertently open compromised files. The vulnerability affects the plugin's export functionality, which is commonly used for user management, analytics, and compliance reporting, making it a high-value target for threat actors seeking persistent access to WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7947 require immediate patching of the Login by Auth0 plugin to version 4.0.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement additional defensive measures such as restricting user upload capabilities, implementing network-level filtering for CSV and Excel file types, and establishing strict data validation policies for all user-generated content. Security teams should also consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify and block suspicious CSV file execution patterns, while maintaining regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other plugins and themes. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched plugin to ensure that legitimate user data processing continues to function properly while eliminating the CSV injection vector that was previously exposed.