The Show Me The Cookies plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution in all versions up to, and including, 1.0. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes due to improper validation of values before executing the do_shortcode function. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and potential manipulation of website content.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.3, classified as high severity, highlighting its potential impact. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no privileges required for exploitation. Organizations should assess their use of the Show Me The Cookies plugin and prioritize patching to mitigate this risk.
Currently, there is no public exploit confirmed nor any indication of active exploitation in the wild. However, the nature of the vulnerability makes it crucial for organizations to remediate it promptly. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
The urgency for defenders to address this vulnerability is high, as it poses a significant risk to the integrity and security of affected WordPress sites.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which pertains to arbitrary code execution due to improper validation. The detailed CVE description states that the Show Me The Cookies plugin allows users to execute actions that do not properly validate inputs before running the do_shortcode function. This vulnerability affects all versions up to 1.0, and the official CVSS vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L.
The CVSS score of 9.8 from NVD indicates a critical potential impact, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. Organizations using this plugin should assess their exposure and act accordingly.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the lack of proper validation of input values before executing the do_shortcode function. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring local access. The attack complexity is low, as there are no special conditions that need to be met for successful exploitation.
No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and there is no user interaction necessary, making it easier for attackers to carry out an attack. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all classified as low, but the potential for unauthorized access could lead to significant consequences for organizations.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and potential manipulation of site content. The blast radius for this vulnerability can be significant, especially for websites with high traffic or sensitive data. The urgency assessment based on CVSS indicates that organizations should address this vulnerability in priority patch cycles.
Given the high CVSS score and the nature of the vulnerability, organizations using the Show Me The Cookies plugin are strongly advised to patch immediately to prevent unauthorized access and exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected product is the Show Me The Cookies plugin for WordPress, specifically version 1.0 and all prior versions. Organizations are encouraged to update to the latest version as soon as possible to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching the Show Me The Cookies plugin to the latest version to mitigate this vulnerability. If a patch is not available, consider disabling the plugin or implementing alternative configurations to restrict access to sensitive functionalities.
For comprehensive security assessments, organizations can benefit from penetration testing services to identify potential vulnerabilities in their systems.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual shortcode executions and validate inputs being processed by the Show Me The Cookies plugin. Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected changes to website content or unauthorized shortcode usage should be flagged for review.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the ongoing risks associated with third-party plugins in web applications. Security teams should be vigilant in monitoring for similar vulnerabilities in other plugins and implement robust security practices in their development processes.
For further reading on vulnerability management, organizations can explore our vulnerability management program design principles.
Given the nature of web vulnerabilities, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest trends in web application security. Our penetration testing methodology provides insights into effective testing strategies.
Organizations should also consider the importance of continuous security assessments, as outlined in our guide to continuous security testing to maintain the security posture of their web applications.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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