CVE-2017-18545 : What You Need to Know

The invite-anyone plugin for WordPress prior to version 1.3.16 is vulnerable to incorrectly escaping untrusted user input, affecting both the WordPress Dashboard and front-end.

Understanding CVE-2017-18545

This CVE describes a security vulnerability in the invite-anyone plugin for WordPress.

What is CVE-2017-18545?

The invite-anyone plugin before version 1.3.16 in WordPress fails to correctly escape untrusted input on the Dashboard and front-end, leading to a security issue.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18545

This vulnerability allows attackers to potentially execute malicious code or perform other unauthorized actions on the affected WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18545

The technical aspects of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The invite-anyone plugin version prior to 1.3.16 incorrectly escapes untrusted user input on the WordPress Dashboard and front-end, creating a security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by injecting malicious code or commands through unescaped user input, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data manipulation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-18545, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the invite-anyone plugin to version 1.3.16 or newer.
Regularly monitor and audit user input and data handling in WordPress.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks.
Stay informed about security updates and best practices for WordPress plugin development.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly.
Keep all WordPress plugins and themes up to date to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.