CVE-2007-4482 in Pool
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in the Pool 1.0.7 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 CVE-2007-4482 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that emerged in the Pool 1.0.7 theme for WordPress platforms. This security weakness specifically targets the index.php file within the theme's structure and exploits how the application handles the PATH_INFO parameter, which is typically derived from PHP_SELF. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical failure in input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that are fundamental to web application security. Attackers can leverage this flaw to inject malicious scripts or HTML code into web pages that are subsequently executed by other users who visit the compromised site. The exploitation occurs through manipulation of the PATH_INFO variable, which is often used by PHP applications to determine the script name and path information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious input that gets processed through the PATH_INFO parameter without proper sanitization. When WordPress processes requests through the Pool theme, it fails to adequately filter or escape the PHP_SELF variable before rendering it in the web page output. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be injected directly into the HTML response, allowing for arbitrary script execution in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer where user input is directly reflected in the web response without proper security controls. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4482 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, defacement of web content, data theft, and other malicious activities. Users visiting compromised WordPress sites could unknowingly execute malicious code that captures their credentials, redirects them to phishing sites, or modifies the displayed content. The vulnerability affects any WordPress installation using the Pool 1.0.7 theme, making it particularly concerning for sites that have not kept their themes updated. This flaw represents a significant security gap that violates the principle of least privilege and proper input validation, as the application should never trust user-provided data without appropriate sanitization. The attack vector operates through standard HTTP request processing, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of theme updates or patches from the WordPress theme developers, as the flaw exists within the theme's core functionality rather than the WordPress core system itself. Administrators should ensure all WordPress themes are kept current with security updates and regularly audit their installed themes for known vulnerabilities. The recommended approach includes implementing proper input validation and output encoding techniques, specifically ensuring that all PATH_INFO and PHP_SELF variables are sanitized before being rendered in web responses. Security measures should incorporate the principle of input validation at multiple layers, including application-level filtering and HTML escaping of dynamic content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional defense-in-depth measures. This vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and maintaining up-to-date software components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious content and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution.