CVE-2017-12948 : Security Advisory and Response

The PressForward plugin version 4.3.0 and earlier for WordPress has a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Core\Admin\PFTemplater.php file, affecting the PATH_INFO to wp-admin/admin.php.

Understanding CVE-2017-12948

This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in the PressForward plugin for WordPress.

What is CVE-2017-12948?

The vulnerability in the PressForward plugin allows for cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks through specific PHP_SELF-related paths.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12948

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute malicious scripts on the victim's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12948

The technical aspects of the vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability exists in the Core\Admin\PFTemplater.php file of PressForward plugin versions 4.3.0 and earlier for WordPress.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: PressForward plugin version 4.3.0 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is present in the PATH_INFO to wp-admin/admin.php, specifically related to PHP_SELF.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-12948, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the PressForward plugin to the latest version.
Implement input validation and output encoding to mitigate XSS vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories for the PressForward plugin.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing on WordPress installations.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates for the PressForward plugin to address known vulnerabilities.