CVE-2019-17515 : What You Need to Know

WordPress plugin CleanTalk cleantalk-spam-protect version 5.127.4 and earlier is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2019-17515

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in the CleanTalk cleantalk-spam-protect WordPress plugin that allows attackers to execute arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code.

What is CVE-2019-17515?

The vulnerability in the CleanTalk plugin enables attackers to run malicious code by manipulating specific parameters, potentially leading to a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) attack.

The Impact of CVE-2019-17515

The consequence of this vulnerability is that it allows an attacker to execute arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code by manipulating the "from" or "till" parameter. The specific affected components are inc/cleantalk-users.php and inc/cleantalk-comments.php. The attack occurs when an Administrator, logged in, unknowingly clicks on a malicious URL, triggering a reflected XSS attack.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-17515

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The CleanTalk cleantalk-spam-protect plugin version 5.127.4 and earlier for WordPress is affected by a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability. This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code via specific parameters.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: CleanTalk cleantalk-spam-protect
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: 5.127.4 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Vector: When an Administrator is logged in
Attack Type: Reflected XSS
Components: inc/cleantalk-users.php and inc/cleantalk-comments.php

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-17515 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the CleanTalk plugin to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Educate users, especially Administrators, about the risks of clicking on suspicious URLs.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit plugins for security vulnerabilities.
Implement web application firewalls to mitigate XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates for all WordPress plugins to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.