CVE-2017-18591 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The gd-rating-system plugin for WordPress prior to version 2.1 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks in the log.php file.

Understanding CVE-2017-18591

This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in the gd-rating-system plugin for WordPress.

What is CVE-2017-18591?

The gd-rating-system plugin, before version 2.1, for WordPress has a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the log.php file.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18591

This vulnerability could allow attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18591

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The gd-rating-system plugin before version 2.1 for WordPress is susceptible to XSS attacks in the log.php file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by injecting malicious scripts into the log.php file, which may be triggered when the file is accessed.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-18591 requires specific actions to mitigate the risk.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the gd-rating-system plugin to version 2.1 or newer to patch the XSS vulnerability.
Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from the plugin developer.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks in web applications.
Educate users about the risks of executing scripts from untrusted sources.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to all plugins and software to address known vulnerabilities and enhance overall security.