WordPress WPtouch Cross-Site Scripting Scanner

The WordPress WPtouch plugin is a tool used by website administrators to enable mobile-friendly themes on WordPress sites. It facilitates a seamless user experience on mobile devices by adapting the site’s theme automatically. Developed primarily for WordPress users aiming to optimize their site’s performance on smartphones and tablets, it is widely used across diverse sectors, from blogs to business websites. This plugin allows for an easy switch between desktop and mobile views without altering the core content of the website. It’s favored for improving site accessibility and boosting the mobile user experience without requiring technical expertise. The plugin is particularly useful for those looking to increase their site traffic from mobile users and improve their site's search engine rankings.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a security vulnerability found in web applications, which allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into content from otherwise trusted websites. In the context of the WordPress WPtouch plugin, this vulnerability arises when URLs are not properly escaped before being outputted in attributes. This can lead to the execution of arbitrary scripts in the contexts of users’ browsers who visit the affected site. Consequently, attackers can use XSS to hijack user sessions, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability poses a risk because it compromises the privacy and security of website users and can be exploited remotely. Addressing XSS vulnerabilities is crucial for maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of web applications.

The technical details of this vulnerability involve the failure to properly sanitize input URLs in the WPtouch plugin prior to version 4.3.44. This is exploited in the plugin’s administrative interface, allowing crafted script tags to be injected and executed. The vulnerable endpoint in this exploitation scenario is typically accessed without robust permission checks, enabling lower-privileged users to manipulate the request. The vulnerability specifically targets scenarios where input validation is insufficient, allowing for the injection and execution of malicious JavaScript snippets. Attackers can also exploit this vulnerability through HTTP requests crafted to include hostile payloads within URL parameters. As a result, it provides opportunities for attackers to perform operations that could result in data theft or unauthorized actions.

When exploited, this XSS vulnerability can lead to several damaging outcomes, including session hijacking and unauthorized actions performed on behalf of a legitimate user. Attackers can use this to impersonate users, steal cookies, and gather sensitive information that could compromise the security of affected systems. A site compromised in this manner might also serve as a platform for distributing further attacks, damaging user trust in the site. The malicious actions performed through an XSS attack could result in financial losses or reputational harm for site owners. Users visiting compromised sites could also unknowingly be exposed to phishing schemes, endangering their personal information across multiple platforms.

REFERENCES

• https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/7dbd8348-9c5d-4d62-a0f4-2b7c2b7e58e4
• https://wordpress.org/plugins/wptouch/advanced/