CVE-2017-18611 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The magic-fields plugin for WordPress, prior to version 1.7.2, is vulnerable to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2017-18611

This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in the magic-fields plugin for WordPress.

What is CVE-2017-18611?

The custom-field-css parameter in the RCCWP_CreateCustomFieldPage.php file of the magic-fields plugin for WordPress, before version 1.7.2, allows for cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18611

This vulnerability could be exploited by 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-2017-18611

The technical aspects of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The magic-fields plugin before version 1.7.2 for WordPress is susceptible to XSS through the RCCWP_CreateCustomFieldPage.php custom-field-css parameter.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: magic-fields plugin
Vendor: N/A
Versions Affected: All versions before 1.7.2

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the custom-field-css parameter, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-18611, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to version 1.7.2 or later of the magic-fields plugin to mitigate the XSS vulnerability.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update plugins and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe browsing practices to minimize the risk of XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches released by plugin developers to address vulnerabilities.