CVE-2021-38331 in WP-T-Wap Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2021
The WP-T-Wap WordPress plugin is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the posted parameter found in the ~/wap/writer.php file which allows attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts, in versions up to and including 1.13.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-38331 affects the WP-T-Wap WordPress plugin, specifically targeting versions up to and including 1.13.2. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes WordPress installations to potential cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability manifests within the ~/wap/writer.php file where the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input through the posted parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system. The WP-T-Wap plugin is designed to facilitate mobile web application functionality within WordPress environments, making it a legitimate component that administrators might install to enhance mobile accessibility and user experience.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of reflected cross-site scripting as classified by CWE-79, which occurs when a web application includes unvalidated user input in the application's response without proper sanitization or encoding. In this specific case, the posted parameter in the writer.php file serves as the injection vector where attackers can craft malicious payloads that get reflected back to users browsing the affected site. When a victim visits a maliciously crafted URL containing the XSS payload, the script executes in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because it affects the core plugin functionality and can be exploited without requiring authentication or special privileges.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to significant security breaches within WordPress environments. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially hijack user sessions, gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, or manipulate the content displayed to users. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attacks can be delivered through phishing emails, compromised links in social media, or malicious advertisements that direct users to specifically crafted URLs. Given that WordPress remains one of the most widely used content management systems, the potential attack surface for this vulnerability is extensive. The impact is particularly concerning for sites that rely heavily on user-generated content or have administrative users who might inadvertently click on malicious links.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-38331 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that have addressed the reflected XSS vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other components of their WordPress installations. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection layers against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across all installed plugins and themes. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious traffic patterns associated with XSS attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which focuses on phishing with malicious attachments, and T1566.002 which covers spearphishing with malicious links, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through crafted URLs. Additionally, the remediation process should include monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts and maintaining detailed logs of user activities to detect potential unauthorized access or data manipulation.