CVE-2017-6818 : Security Advisory and Response

WordPress versions prior to 4.7.3 are vulnerable to cross-site scripting (XSS) through taxonomy term names.

Understanding CVE-2017-6818

This CVE identifies a specific XSS vulnerability in WordPress versions before 4.7.3.

What is CVE-2017-6818?

In WordPress versions prior to 4.7.3, a security issue exists in the wp-admin/js/tags-box.js file that allows attackers to execute XSS attacks via taxonomy term names.

The Impact of CVE-2017-6818

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts on the target WordPress site, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-6818

WordPress CVE-2017-6818 has the following technical details:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the wp-admin/js/tags-box.js file, enabling attackers to perform XSS attacks through taxonomy term names.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Systems: WordPress versions before 4.7.3
Affected Component: wp-admin/js/tags-box.js
Versions: All versions prior to 4.7.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious taxonomy term names that, when processed by the vulnerable component, execute arbitrary scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your WordPress site from CVE-2017-6818 with the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update WordPress to version 4.7.3 or later to patch the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and sanitize user inputs to prevent XSS attacks.
Implement security plugins that offer XSS protection.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans on your WordPress site.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and the risks of XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about WordPress security updates and apply patches promptly to mitigate known vulnerabilities.