CVE-2007-4480 in Sirius
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in the Sirius 1.0 theme for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO (PHP_SELF).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4480 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw affecting the Sirius 1.0 theme for WordPress. This issue resides in the index.php file and specifically exploits how the application handles the PATH_INFO parameter, which is derived from PHP_SELF. The vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input from the PATH_INFO is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in the web page context, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code into the victim's browser.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the improper handling of input data that is directly rendered to web browsers without adequate sanitization. The exploitation mechanism leverages the PHP_SELF server variable which contains the path of the current script, and when this value is incorporated into the page output without proper HTML escaping, it creates a vector for XSS attacks. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads in the PATH_INFO portion that get executed when the vulnerable page is accessed by unsuspecting users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to execute malicious code in the context of the victim's browser session. This could enable session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of the website, or redirection to malicious sites. Since WordPress themes are widely used and the vulnerability affects a core component of the site rendering process, the potential attack surface is extensive. The fact that this affects a specific theme version means that users running the Sirius 1.0 theme are at risk, though the broader WordPress ecosystem remains vulnerable if similar patterns exist in other themes or plugins.
The attack vector requires minimal user interaction as the vulnerability can be triggered through simple URL manipulation. The malicious payload is executed within the context of the vulnerable WordPress site, potentially allowing attackers to access cookies, modify content, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1531 for account access removal, as the XSS could lead to session manipulation and privilege escalation. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader assessment of web application security, particularly when evaluating theme and plugin configurations that may not properly sanitize user inputs. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and output escaping practices, which are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks across web applications. Mitigation strategies should include immediate theme updates, proper input sanitization, and comprehensive security audits of all WordPress themes and plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in the broader codebase.