Source: cve@mitre.org
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in the Post to Twitter plugin 0.7 and earlier for WordPress allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via the (1) idptt_twitter_username or (2) idptt_tweet_prefix parameter to wp-admin/options-general.php.
WordPress websites using the Post to Twitter plugin versions 0.7 and earlier are vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript into the site. Successful exploitation can lead to complete administrator account takeover and compromise of the entire website, potentially leading to data breaches and defacement.
Step 1: Craft Malicious Link: The attacker crafts a malicious URL containing a JavaScript payload within the idptt_twitter_username or idptt_tweet_prefix parameter. This URL targets the wp-admin/options-general.php page of the vulnerable WordPress site.
Step 2: Social Engineering: The attacker uses social engineering techniques (e.g., phishing emails, malicious advertisements) to trick an authenticated WordPress administrator into clicking the malicious link.
Step 3: CSRF Execution: When the administrator clicks the link, the browser sends a request to the WordPress site. Because the plugin lacks CSRF protection, the request is processed as if it originated from the administrator.
Step 4: Payload Injection: The malicious request updates the plugin's settings, injecting the attacker's JavaScript payload into the plugin's configuration.
Step 5: XSS Execution: When the administrator views the plugin's settings page or any page where the plugin's output is rendered, the injected JavaScript payload executes in the administrator's browser, allowing the attacker to perform actions on behalf of the administrator, such as creating new administrator accounts, modifying content, or stealing sensitive information.
The vulnerability stems from a failure of the Post to Twitter plugin to properly validate and sanitize user input when updating its settings. Specifically, the plugin does not implement CSRF protection mechanisms, such as synchronizer tokens, when processing requests to wp-admin/options-general.php. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious request that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, modifies the plugin's settings to include a malicious JavaScript payload in the idptt_twitter_username or idptt_tweet_prefix parameters. This payload is then executed when the administrator views the plugin's settings page or any page where the plugin's output is rendered, leading to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). The root cause is a lack of input validation and CSRF protection, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary code.
While no specific APTs are directly linked to this CVE, the ease of exploitation makes it attractive to a wide range of attackers, including those seeking to establish a foothold for further attacks. This vulnerability could be used as an initial access vector for more sophisticated attacks. Not listed on CISA KEV.
Monitor web server logs for suspicious POST requests to wp-admin/options-general.php with unusual values in the idptt_twitter_username or idptt_tweet_prefix parameters.
Analyze HTTP traffic for requests containing JavaScript payloads within the parameters mentioned above.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block CSRF attacks and XSS attempts.
Monitor for changes to the plugin's configuration files, specifically the settings stored by the Post to Twitter plugin.
Upgrade the Post to Twitter plugin to version 0.8 or later, which includes a fix for the CSRF vulnerability.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious requests.
Enforce strong password policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all administrator accounts.
Regularly scan the WordPress site for vulnerabilities using security scanners.
Review and sanitize all user input to prevent XSS attacks. Implement proper output encoding.
Implement CSRF protection mechanisms, such as synchronizer tokens, for all forms and sensitive operations within the WordPress site.