CVE-2018-5659 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability has been found in the responsive-coming-soon-page plugin version 1.1.18 for WordPress, allowing Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks through a specific parameter.

Understanding CVE-2018-5659

This CVE identifies a security issue in the responsive-coming-soon-page plugin for WordPress that can lead to XSS attacks.

What is CVE-2018-5659?

CVE-2018-5659 is a vulnerability in version 1.1.18 of the responsive-coming-soon-page plugin for WordPress. It enables attackers to execute XSS attacks via the 'coming-soon_title' parameter in wp-admin/admin.php.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5659

The vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5659

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in the responsive-coming-soon-page plugin version 1.1.18 for WordPress allows for XSS attacks through the 'coming-soon_title' parameter in wp-admin/admin.php.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: responsive-coming-soon-page plugin
Vendor: N/A
Version: 1.1.18

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the 'coming-soon_title' parameter, which, when executed, can compromise the security of the WordPress site.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-5659 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or remove the vulnerable plugin version 1.1.18 from the WordPress installation.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.
Regularly monitor and audit the website for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Keep plugins and themes updated to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Educate users and administrators about safe coding practices and security measures.

Patching and Updates

Check for patches or updates from the plugin developer to address the XSS vulnerability.
Apply security patches promptly to ensure the website's protection.