CVE-2017-18011 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the MyCBGenie Affiliate Ads for Clickbank Products plugin up to version 1.6 for WordPress allows exploitation through the border_color parameter in the text_ads_ajax.php file.

Understanding CVE-2017-18011

This CVE entry describes a specific security vulnerability affecting the MyCBGenie Affiliate Ads for Clickbank Products plugin for WordPress.

What is CVE-2017-18011?

The CVE-2017-18011 vulnerability involves XSS in the MyCBGenie Affiliate Ads for Clickbank Products plugin up to version 1.6 for WordPress, which can be triggered via the border_color parameter in the text_ads_ajax.php file.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18011

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to various attacks such as session hijacking, defacement, or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18011

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE-2017-18011 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The MyCBGenie Affiliate Ads for Clickbank Products plugin up to version 1.6 for WordPress is susceptible to XSS attacks through the border_color parameter in the text_ads_ajax.php file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: MyCBGenie Affiliate Ads for Clickbank Products plugin
Versions affected: Up to version 1.6

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by injecting malicious scripts into the border_color parameter in the text_ads_ajax.php file, potentially leading to XSS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-18011 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or remove the vulnerable plugin if not essential for operations.
Implement input validation to sanitize user inputs and prevent script injection.
Regularly monitor and update security patches for WordPress plugins.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.
Educate users and administrators about safe coding practices and the risks of XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates provided by the plugin developer to address the XSS vulnerability.