CVE-2007-4139 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Temporary Uploads editing functionality (wp-admin/includes/upload.php) in WordPress 2.2.1, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the style parameter to wp-admin/upload.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4139 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WordPress content management system version 2.2.1. This security weakness specifically targets the Temporary Uploads editing functionality located in the wp-admin/includes/upload.php file, making it a significant concern for WordPress administrators and security professionals. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data within the administrative interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the style parameter in requests directed to wp-admin/upload.php, thereby enabling the injection of malicious web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. This particular attack vector demonstrates the classic characteristics of XSS vulnerabilities where untrusted data flows directly into the application's output without proper sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the failure to properly sanitize user input within the WordPress administrative upload handling system. When the system processes temporary uploads, it fails to validate or escape the style parameter that is passed through the upload.php endpoint. This oversight creates a direct pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary code that executes within the context of other users' browsers who view the affected upload listings. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by remote attackers without requiring authentication. The flaw exists in the wp-admin/includes/upload.php file where the application processes and displays temporary upload information, creating a persistent security gap that affects all WordPress 2.2.1 installations. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, while the ATT&CK framework would classify this under T1566.001 for "Phishing with Spoofed Credentials" and potentially T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" if the injected code executes malicious commands.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4139 extends far beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within users' browsers and potentially escalate their privileges. An attacker could craft malicious upload entries that, when viewed by administrators or other users, would execute scripts to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even perform actions on behalf of the authenticated users. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress installations where administrators frequently review temporary uploads, as the malicious code would execute every time the upload listing is displayed. The risk is compounded by the fact that WordPress 2.2.1 was widely deployed at the time of this vulnerability discovery, meaning numerous installations were potentially exposed to this attack vector. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to execute, as it simply involves crafting a malicious style parameter value that gets processed by the vulnerable upload handling code. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to automated attack tools and less sophisticated threat actors who can leverage the weakness without requiring deep technical knowledge of WordPress internals.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4139 should prioritize immediate remediation through WordPress version updates, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases of the CMS. Administrators should upgrade to WordPress 2.2.2 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched through proper input validation and output sanitization measures. The patch implemented by WordPress developers involved adding appropriate escaping mechanisms to the style parameter handling within the upload.php file, ensuring that any user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in the browser. Additionally, organizations should implement input validation controls at multiple layers, including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious style parameter values. Network administrators should also consider implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous upload activities or suspicious parameter values. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed within the WordPress admin interface. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in custom plugins or themes that may interact with WordPress core upload functionality. Organizations should also establish robust patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all WordPress installations to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.