WordPress Content-Security-Policy Bypass Scanner

WordPress is a widely-used content management system preferred by individuals and organizations for building and managing websites. It is popular due to its versatility, ease of use, and extensive plugin ecosystem that enables customization and functionality enhancement. Businesses, bloggers, and developers around the globe rely on WordPress to create anything from simple blogs to complex corporate websites. The extensive use of WordPress stems from its open-source nature, allowing for a broad user base and an active community contributing to its development. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible to non-technical users, while its extensibility makes it appealing to developers. WordPress's core system offers a strong foundation for website development and management.

This scanner detects vulnerabilities in WordPress related to Content-Security-Policy (CSP) bypass, a weakness that attackers could exploit to execute unauthorized scripts. CSP is a security feature intended to prevent various types of attacks, including XSS, by restricting the resources a web page can load. However, if not correctly configured or implemented with flaws, it can be bypassed, allowing harmful scripts to execute. Such vulnerabilities could enable attackers to manipulate web page content, steal sensitive information, or deliver malicious payloads to users. The scanner actively looks for indications of such vulnerabilities to alert administrators before these security issues can be exploited. Detecting and addressing CSP bypass vulnerabilities is crucial for maintaining the security posture of WordPress sites.

The technical details indicate that the vulnerability stems from improper CSP heading configurations that inadvertently whitelist unsafe resources. The scanning process involves sending a GET request to the server and analyzing the response headers for misconfigurations in the CSP. Additionally, the system attempts to execute a test script from WordPress's own domain to verify if a CSP bypass is present. The vulnerable endpoints often appear in query strings and can be identified by matching specific conditions within header responses that denote misconfigured CSPs. The scanner employs headless browsing techniques to simulate real-world interactions and detect dynamic patterns indicative of the vulnerability.

When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages, leading to unauthorized actions being carried out on behalf of users. Effects can range from defacing the website to extracting confidential user information or delivering malicious payloads. A successful CSP bypass attack could compromise user accounts by deploying keyloggers or hijacking sessions. It may also impact the site's reputation and credibility, as users become vulnerable to phishing and other attacks via the manipulated site. Therefore, detecting this vulnerability promptly is essential in maintaining both the security integrity and trustworthiness of affected WordPress sites.

REFERENCES

• https://github.com/renniepak/CSPBypass/blob/main/data.tsv