CVE-2020-8799 in WTI Like Post Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
A Stored XSS vulnerability has been found in the administration page of the WTI Like Post plugin through 1.4.5 for WordPress. Once the administrator has submitted the data, the script stored is executed for all the users visiting the website.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-8799 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the WTI Like Post plugin version 1.4.5 and earlier for WordPress platforms. This security weakness resides specifically within the administrative interface of the plugin, creating a persistent threat that can compromise all users who access the compromised website. The vulnerability manifests when administrators process data through the plugin's administrative pages, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that persist in the system's database.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper sanitization of user input within the plugin's administrative submission mechanisms. When administrators submit data through the affected interface, the malicious script is stored in the database and subsequently executed whenever any user visits the website. This stored nature of the vulnerability distinguishes it from reflected XSS attacks, as the malicious payload remains persistent and automatically executes for every visitor without requiring additional interaction from the user. The flaw directly maps to CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding within web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-8799 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect visitors to malicious sites, and potentially escalate privileges within the compromised WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the website, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without user interaction after the initial injection. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access to the compromised system, potentially leading to full administrative control over the WordPress installation and associated data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to versions that address the stored XSS flaw, as well as comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Security professionals should implement web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious script patterns and conduct regular security audits of WordPress plugins. Additionally, administrators should enforce principle of least privilege for plugin installations and regularly review plugin permissions. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 which describes the use of scripting languages to execute malicious code, and T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution and conduct regular penetration testing to identify similar persistent vulnerabilities in their web applications.