CVE-2007-5106 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wp-register.php in WordPress 2.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the user_login parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5106 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the WordPress content management system version 2.0. This security weakness specifically affects the wp-register.php file which handles user registration processes within the platform. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process the user_login parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that has persisted across numerous platforms and versions throughout the history of web development.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code and submits it through the user_login parameter during the registration process. When the WordPress application processes this input without proper sanitization, the malicious code gets stored and subsequently executed whenever other users view the registration page or interact with the affected user account. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as this vulnerability can be leveraged to perform session hijacking, defacement of user accounts, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by any user attempting to register or when administrators view user registration data.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to WordPress installations running version 2.0, as it allows remote attackers to compromise the security of legitimate users without requiring authentication. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the registration process, which is a fundamental component of any web application that handles user accounts. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that persist in the database and execute whenever the affected pages are loaded. This creates a persistent threat that can affect multiple users over time, potentially leading to data breaches, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting script execution through web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5106 require immediate action including updating to a patched version of WordPress as the primary solution, since this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in their applications, ensuring that all user-provided data is sanitized before processing. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security measures should include regular security audits, input validation testing, and maintaining up-to-date software versions. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle, particularly for authentication and registration components that handle user data.