WordPress Plugin 'SeatReg' Open Redirect Scanner

The WordPress Plugin SeatReg is commonly used within WordPress environments to manage seat registrations for events. Typically used by webmasters and event organizers, it facilitates the process of seat allocation for attendees, providing a user-friendly interface to manage registrations. SeatReg offers integration within WordPress’s ecosystem, allowing it to utilize various plugin capabilities. Specifically tailored for event management, it finds its application in conferences, workshops, and any event requiring floating attendee organization. Its purpose heavily revolves around streamlining event execution and enhancing user experience in managing bookings. As WordPress remains a leading content management system, the SeatReg plugin benefits from a wide installation base, adapting to the dynamic needs of modern event organizers.

An Open Redirect vulnerability occurs when an application, such as the WordPress Plugin SeatReg, fails to validate URLs within redirects properly. This oversight can lead to users being redirected to untrusted sites upon interaction with specific crafted URLs. Primarily, malicious actors can exploit this weakness by disguising harmful links under the guise of legitimate redirects. For users and site administrators, these vulnerabilities can result in serious security risks, including phishing and credential theft. Such attacks are marked by the attacker’s ability to leverage URL redirects, which should ideally be contained and validated within safe and trusted domains. Overall, preventing open redirect vulnerabilities is key to ensuring user trust and maintaining web security.

The vulnerability specifically lies in the URL redirection mechanism of the SeatReg plugin. Within the endpoint handling the registration actions, there's a lack of proper validation on the '_wp_http_referer' parameter. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to force the application to include untrusted domains in its redirect flow. The technical route involves intercepting requests to the '/wp-admin/admin-post.php' endpoint, leveraging improperly checked URLs to redirect users maliciously. Such an attack becomes possible when security measures do not verify the legitimacy of the URLs in the referer field. The missing validation mechanism creates a pathway for constructing and executing this vulnerability.

When successfully exploited, the Open Redirect vulnerability could lead to severe consequences. Users could be misled into providing sensitive information on phishing sites, believing them to be legitimate extensions of the SeatReg platform. It risks significant reputational damage for any service hosting the plugin, should users fall victim to such deception. Additionally, compromised URLs might result in visitors inadvertently downloading malware or exposing their devices to security compromises. Ultimately, user trust could be severely diminished, highlighting the importance of addressing these vulnerabilities swiftly. Compromising redirects weakens the integrity of site navigational paths and requires prompt remediation to safeguard community and user data.

REFERENCES

• https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167888/WordPress-SeatReg-1.23.0-Open-Redirect.html