CVE-2007-4014 in Blixed Theme
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in a certain index.php installation script related to the (1) Blix 0.9.1, (2) Blixed 1.0, and (3) BlixKrieg (Blix Krieg) 2.2 themes for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the s parameter, possibly a related issue to CVE-2007-2757. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2022
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the WordPress theme ecosystem affecting multiple Blix themes including Blix 0.9.1, Blixed 1.0, and BlixKrieg 2.2 versions. The flaw manifests in an index.php installation script that fails to properly sanitize user input, specifically the s parameter which is commonly used for search functionality within WordPress installations. The vulnerability represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting attack vector where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. This issue is particularly concerning as it affects the core installation script of these themes, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious code in the context of victims' browsers when they access compromised pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the affected WordPress themes. When users submit search queries through the s parameter, the application does not sufficiently escape or filter the input before rendering it in the HTML response. This creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and follows the pattern of reflected XSS attacks documented in the OWASP Top Ten. The connection to CVE-2007-2757 suggests this may be part of a broader class of vulnerabilities affecting WordPress theme installations and their handling of user-supplied parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to manipulate user sessions, steal administrative credentials, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The attack surface is particularly broad given that these themes were widely distributed and used, meaning that any user accessing compromised WordPress sites could be exposed to malicious scripts. The vulnerability's persistence in the installation script indicates that it affects the theme's core functionality rather than being limited to specific page contexts, making it more difficult to remediate without complete theme replacement. This type of vulnerability commonly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically the use of malicious content delivery methods to establish initial access or maintain persistence within web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention through multiple defensive layers. The primary recommendation involves updating to patched versions of the affected Blix themes, as the vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in custom or third-party themes. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering suspicious input patterns before they reach the application. Regular security audits of WordPress installations should include checks for outdated themes and plugins that may contain known vulnerabilities. The remediation process must also involve educating developers about secure coding practices, particularly around parameter handling and HTML output generation. Additionally, implementing content security policies can help mitigate the impact of successful XSS attacks by restricting the execution of unauthorized scripts within the browser context.