CVE-2021-38358 in MoolaMojo Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2021
The MoolaMojo WordPress plugin is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the classes parameter found in the ~/views/button-generator.html.php file which allows attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts, in versions up to and including 0.7.4.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2021
The CVE-2021-38358 vulnerability affects the MoolaMojo WordPress plugin, a widely used payment processing solution that enables website owners to accept payments through various payment gateways. This particular flaw resides within the plugin's button generator functionality, specifically in the ~/views/button-generator.html.php file where the classes parameter is improperly handled. The vulnerability represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting issue that can be exploited by malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by unsuspecting users. The affected versions range up to and including 0.7.4.1, indicating that a significant portion of users may be exposed to this security risk. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given the plugin's integration with WordPress ecosystems where user interactions and payment processing activities occur.
The technical flaw manifests when the classes parameter from user input is directly reflected back into the HTML output without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can perform unauthorized actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing arbitrary commands within the context of the vulnerable website. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script is not stored on the server but is instead injected through a crafted URL or form submission, making it particularly stealthy and difficult to detect. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through compromised websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to user accounts or sensitive payment information. When users interact with payment buttons generated through the vulnerable plugin, they become potential victims of the reflected XSS attack. The attack vector typically involves sending a specially crafted URL to victims, which when clicked, executes the malicious script in their browser context. This could result in session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to phishing sites that mimic legitimate payment processors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in e-commerce environments where users trust the payment processing interface, making the potential for financial fraud and data breaches significantly higher. Organizations using this plugin are at risk of reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and financial losses due to compromised user data and potential fraud.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-38358 should begin with immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 0.7.4.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable plugin across their WordPress installations, particularly in environments where payment processing occurs. Input validation and output encoding mechanisms should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent similar issues in other components. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that the plugin operates with minimal necessary permissions and that user inputs are properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns in web traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution, and establish incident response procedures to quickly address potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by threat actors. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in payment processing systems where the stakes for security are exceptionally high.