Jetpack – WP Security, Backup, Speed, & Growth < 4.2 - CSV Injection

2017-04-26 00:00
Anonymous

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 4.2
Affected Version
< 4.2
CVSS
9.6Critical
Weakness type
CWE-1236 · Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File
CVE
CVE pending
View all Jetpack – WP Security, Backup, Speed, & Growth vulnerabilities

At a glance

This record tracks a critical-severity Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File vulnerability in the Jetpack WordPress plugin, affecting versions < 4.2. It carries a CVSS score of 9.6 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality, integrity, availability impact). Exploitation requires no authentication. The issue is fixed in version 4.2; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed April 2017.

Vulnerability Overview

The Jetpack – WP Security, Backup, Speed, & Growth plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to CSV Injection in versions up to, and including, 4.2. This allows unauthenticated attackers to embed untrusted input into data via contact forms that will be injected into exported CSV files. This can result in code execution when these files are downloaded and opened on a local system with a vulnerable configuration.

Technical Analysis

The vector marks this flaw as remotely reachable over the network, with low attack complexity — no special timing or configuration is needed, and no privileges on the target site. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability — full site compromise territory.

CWE-1236: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File

The product saves user-provided information into a Comma-Separated Value (CSV) file, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could be interpreted as a command when the file is opened by a spreadsheet product.

Remediation

Update to version 4.2, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

The attempt arrives as an ordinary request to Jetpack: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. None of that substitutes for the fix: Jetpack 4.2 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

  • Firewall
  • Alerts

External References

Related records

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