CVE-2018-5662 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

WordPress plugin 'responsive-coming-soon-page' version 1.1.18 is vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) through the counter_title parameter.

Understanding CVE-2018-5662

This CVE involves a security issue in a specific version of a WordPress plugin that allows for XSS attacks.

What is CVE-2018-5662?

An XSS vulnerability exists in version 1.1.18 of the 'responsive-coming-soon-page' plugin for WordPress, which can be exploited through the counter_title parameter in wp-admin/admin.php.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5662

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

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5662

The technical aspects of the vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the 'responsive-coming-soon-page' plugin version 1.1.18 for WordPress, enabling attackers to perform XSS attacks via the counter_title parameter.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: 1.1.18
Systems: WordPress installations using the vulnerable plugin

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the counter_title parameter in the wp-admin/admin.php page.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-5662, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or remove the 'responsive-coming-soon-page' plugin if not essential
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update WordPress plugins and themes to patch known vulnerabilities
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses

Patching and Updates

Update the 'responsive-coming-soon-page' plugin to a secure version
Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly