WordPress up to 5.3.0 REST API cross site scripting

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in WordPress up to 5.3.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component REST API. Performing a manipulation results in cross site scripting. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2019-16788. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in WordPress up to 5.3.0 (Content Management System). It has been classified as critical. This affects some unknown functionality of the component REST API. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a cross site scripting vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-79. The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In WordPress versions from 3.7 to 5.3.0, authenticated users who do not have the rights to publish a post are able to mark posts as sticky or unsticky via the REST API. For example, the contributor role does not have such rights, but this allowed them to bypass that. This has been patched in WordPress 5.3.1, along with all the previous WordPress versions from 3.7 to 5.3 via a minor release. Automatic updates are enabled by default for minor releases and we strongly recommend that you keep them enabled.

The weakness was shared 01/09/2020 (GitHub Repository). It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2019-16788 since 09/24/2019. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. A authentication is required for exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1059.007 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

Upgrading to version 5.3.1 eliminates this vulnerability.

The entry VDB-148478 is related to this item. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Content Management System

Name

• WordPress

Version

• 5.0
• 5.1
• 5.2
• 5.3.0

License

• open-source

Website

• Product: https://wordpress.com/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CPE 2.2info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Discussion