As WordPress continues to be a popular choice for website management, the security of plugins becomes paramount. The latest security flaw, CVE-2024-7313, within the Shield Security plugin, underscores a troubling vulnerability: reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). This issue not only threatens the integrity of the plugin but also poses a significant risk of unauthorized admin account creation. With Shield Security being a key component for safeguarding WordPress sites, this vulnerability highlights a critical need for immediate attention and remediation to protect against potential exploits.
| CVE | CVE-2024–7313 |
| Plugin | Shield Security < 20.0.6 |
| Critical | High |
| All Time | 11 954 802 |
| Active installations | 50 000+ |
| Publicly Published | August 7, 2024 |
| Last Updated | August 7, 2024 |
| Researcher | Artyom Krugov |
| OWASP TOP-10 | A7: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) |
| PoC | Yes |
| Exploit | No |
| Reference | https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-7313/ https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/83a1bdc6-098e-43d5-89e5-f4202ecd78a1/ |
| Plugin Security Certification by CleanTalk |  |
| Logo of the plugin |  |
Timeline
| Jul 29, 2024 | Plugin testing and vulnerability detection in the Shield Security have been completed |
| Jul 29, 2024 | I contacted the author of the plugin and provided a vulnerability PoC with a description and recommendations for fixing |
| August 7, 2024 | Registered CVE-2024-7313 |
Discovery of the Vulnerability
The vulnerability was discovered during security testing of the Shield Security plugin, in particular, in the admin panel. The vulnerability lies in the processing of certain parameters by the plugin, which incorrectly processes the data entered by the user. This oversight allows attackers to inject malicious scripts through reflected XSS, which can be explained by compromising administrator accounts.
Understanding of Stored XSS attack’s
XSS vulnerabilities are among the most common security issues in web applications, including WordPress. They occur when an attacker is able to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. In the context of WordPress, this can lead to various forms of exploitation, including session hijacking, unauthorized actions, and even full administrative control of the site. Real-world examples include past incidents where XSS was used to steal user data or escalate privileges.
Reflected XSS vulnerabilities occur when an attacker is able to inject malicious scripts into a web application through user input fields or URL parameters. Unlike stored XSS, where the payload is saved on the server, reflected XSS payloads are reflected immediately back to the user in response to a request. For example, if an attacker can manipulate a URL to include a malicious script that is then executed by the victim’s browser, it could lead to unauthorized actions or information leakage. In WordPress, this often involves manipulating parameters within plugins or themes that do not adequately validate or sanitize input.
Exploiting the Stored XSS Vulnerability
To exploit CVE-2024-7313, navigate to the Shield Security plugin’s admin tab.
POC:
The vulnerability is located in the
nav_subparameter within the URL path/wp-admin/admin.php. By injecting a crafted payload into this parameter, an attacker can cause a reflected XSS attack.____
The potential risks associated with this vulnerability are significant. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of an admin’s browser session, which might lead to account hijacking, unauthorized changes, or data theft. In a worst-case scenario, an attacker could use the vulnerability to create or modify admin accounts, giving them control over the entire WordPress site.
Recommendations for Improved Security
To mitigate the risk of reflected XSS vulnerabilities, it is essential to implement proper input validation and sanitization. Plugin developers should ensure that all user inputs are carefully sanitized before being reflected back to the user. Employing security best practices such as using nonce verification and encoding output can help protect against XSS attacks. Users of the Shield Security plugin should update to the latest version as soon as a patch is available and review their site’s security settings to ensure no other vulnerabilities are present.
By taking proactive measures to address Reflected XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-7313, WordPress website owners can enhance their security posture and safeguard against potential exploitation. Stay vigilant, stay secure.
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