CVE-2018-5311 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Easy Custom Auto Excerpt version 2.4.6 WordPress plugin is vulnerable to XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) through the parameter "tonjoo_ecae_options[custom_css]" within the URI "wp-admin/admin.php?page=tonjoo_excerpt".

Understanding CVE-2018-5311

The Easy Custom Auto Excerpt plugin version 2.4.6 for WordPress has a cross-site scripting vulnerability.

What is CVE-2018-5311?

The vulnerability in the Easy Custom Auto Excerpt plugin allows attackers to execute malicious scripts through a specific parameter in the plugin's URI.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5311

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

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5311

The technical aspects of the CVE-2018-5311 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The Easy Custom Auto Excerpt plugin version 2.4.6 for WordPress is susceptible to XSS attacks via the "tonjoo_ecae_options[custom_css]" parameter in the URI "wp-admin/admin.php?page=tonjoo_excerpt".

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Easy Custom Auto Excerpt
Version: 2.4.6

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts through the specific parameter, potentially compromising the security of the WordPress site.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2018-5311 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or remove the Easy Custom Auto Excerpt plugin if not essential for site functionality.
Regularly monitor and update plugins to patch known vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.
Educate users and administrators about safe plugin usage and security best practices.

Patching and Updates

Update the Easy Custom Auto Excerpt plugin to a secure version that addresses the XSS vulnerability.