Source: cve@mitre.org
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the Twitter LiveBlog plugin 1.1.2 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via the mashtlb_twitter_username parameter in the twitter-liveblog.php page to wp-admin/options-general.php.
Attackers can exploit a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the Twitter LiveBlog plugin for WordPress to hijack administrator accounts. This allows them to inject malicious JavaScript code (XSS) into the website, potentially leading to complete site compromise and data theft. The vulnerability is easily exploitable, posing a significant risk to websites using the affected plugin.
Step 1: Victim Login: An administrator of a WordPress site using the vulnerable Twitter LiveBlog plugin is logged into their account.
Step 2: Attacker Crafting: The attacker crafts a malicious HTML page or email containing a hidden form or JavaScript code.
Step 3: Payload Delivery: The attacker lures the administrator to visit the malicious page or open the malicious email. This could be done through phishing, social engineering, or other means.
Step 4: CSRF Request: The malicious page or email automatically submits a POST request to wp-admin/options-general.php with the mashtlb_twitter_username parameter set to a JavaScript payload (e.g., <script>alert('XSS')</script>). This request is crafted to appear as if it originates from the legitimate WordPress site.
Step 5: Setting Update: Because of the lack of CSRF protection, the WordPress site processes the request as if it originated from the administrator. The mashtlb_twitter_username setting in the Twitter LiveBlog plugin is updated with the attacker's JavaScript payload.
Step 6: XSS Execution: When the Twitter LiveBlog plugin displays the mashtlb_twitter_username (e.g., on the front-end of the website), the injected JavaScript payload is executed in the administrator's browser, leading to an XSS attack. This allows the attacker to steal cookies, redirect the administrator, or perform other malicious actions.
The vulnerability stems from a lack of CSRF protection in the Twitter LiveBlog plugin's settings update functionality. Specifically, the plugin fails to validate the origin of requests when updating the mashtlb_twitter_username setting. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious request that, when executed by a logged-in administrator, modifies the plugin's settings. The attacker leverages this to inject malicious JavaScript code through the mashtlb_twitter_username parameter, which is then rendered on the website, leading to a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack. The root cause is the absence of a nonce or other CSRF protection mechanism, such as checking the Referer header or using a unique token to verify the request's origin. The lack of proper input validation on the mashtlb_twitter_username parameter further exacerbates the issue, allowing for the injection of arbitrary JavaScript.
While no specific APT groups are directly linked to this CVE, the ease of exploitation makes it attractive to a wide range of attackers, including those seeking to deface websites, steal user credentials, or distribute malware. This vulnerability could be leveraged in conjunction with other attacks. CISA KEV: Not Listed
Monitor web server logs for suspicious POST requests to wp-admin/options-general.php with the mashtlb_twitter_username parameter.
Analyze HTTP request headers for missing or invalid CSRF tokens.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS attempts.
Monitor for changes in the Twitter LiveBlog plugin settings, especially the mashtlb_twitter_username value.
Use a security scanner to identify the presence of the vulnerable plugin and its version.
Update the Twitter LiveBlog plugin to version 1.1.3 or later (or uninstall the plugin if no longer needed).
Implement CSRF protection in the plugin's settings update functionality. This includes using nonces, verifying the Referer header, or employing other CSRF mitigation techniques.
Sanitize and validate all user-supplied input, including the mashtlb_twitter_username parameter, to prevent XSS attacks.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious requests.
Regularly scan the WordPress site for vulnerabilities and apply security patches promptly.
Enforce strong password policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrator accounts.