CVE-2007-4483 in Wordpressclassic
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in the WordPress Classic 1.5 theme in WordPress before 2.1.3 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-2007-4483 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that affected the WordPress content management system prior to version 2.1.3. This issue specifically targeted the Classic 1.5 theme and exploited a weakness in how the system handled the PATH_INFO parameter, which is part of the PHP_SELF server variable. The vulnerability allowed remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code into web pages viewed by other users, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations that were not properly updated.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurred through the improper sanitization of user input within the WordPress index.php file when processing the PATH_INFO parameter. When a user accessed a WordPress site using a URL that contained malicious content in the PATH_INFO portion, the system would incorporate this unfiltered input directly into the page output without adequate validation or encoding. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a reflected XSS attack where malicious code is reflected off the web server to the victim's browser. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it leveraged the PHP_SELF variable, which is commonly used for generating navigation links and page references, making it a frequent target for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple script injection, as it could enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web pages, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers could craft specially formatted URLs that would execute JavaScript code in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially allowing them to access administrative functions or steal sensitive information. The risk was particularly severe for WordPress installations where users had administrative privileges, as the injected scripts could be used to escalate privileges and gain full control over the affected websites. This vulnerability also posed a threat to the overall integrity of the web application, as it could be used to modify content, redirect traffic, or serve malicious payloads to unsuspecting visitors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4483 centered on updating to WordPress version 2.1.3 or later, which contained the necessary patches to properly sanitize the PATH_INFO parameter before incorporating it into web page output. System administrators should have implemented proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent the injection of malicious scripts. The fix involved ensuring that all user-supplied input, particularly from server variables like PHP_SELF, was properly escaped or encoded before being rendered in web pages. Organizations should have also considered implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional protection layers. This vulnerability highlighted the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, and reinforcing the need for secure coding practices that prevent XSS vulnerabilities through proper data sanitization and output encoding mechanisms.