CVE-2008-0691 in WP-Footnotes
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in admin_panel.php in the Simon Elvery WP-Footnotes 2.2 plugin for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) wp_footnotes_current_settings[priority], (2) wp_footnotes_current_settings[style_rules], (3) wp_footnotes_current_settings[pre_footnotes], and (4) wp_footnotes_current_settings[post_footnotes] parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2025
The CVE-2008-0691 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Simon Elvery WP-Footnotes 2.2 plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability specifically affects the admin_panel.php file within the plugin's codebase, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts against unsuspecting users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters within the WordPress administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the plugin's configuration management functionality. The affected parameters include wp_footnotes_current_settings[priority], wp_footnotes_current_settings[style_rules], wp_footnotes_current_settings[pre_footnotes], and wp_footnotes_current_settings[post_footnotes], all of which are processed without adequate security measures to prevent malicious code injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of specific parameter values within the WordPress admin panel interface. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that get stored and subsequently executed when administrators or other users view the affected plugin settings page. This creates a persistent XSS vector where the malicious scripts can execute in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent XSS issue means that the injected scripts remain active until the affected parameters are modified or the plugin is updated, providing attackers with extended opportunities for exploitation. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0691 extends beyond simple script injection, creating significant security risks for WordPress installations using the vulnerable plugin. Administrators who visit the affected plugin configuration page become potential victims of the XSS attack, as their browser sessions could be compromised through the execution of malicious JavaScript code. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of the WordPress administrative interface, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets the plugin's administrative functionality, which typically requires elevated privileges and contains sensitive system configuration parameters. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1548.001 for privilege escalation through administrative interface compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0691 must prioritize immediate plugin updates or removal from affected WordPress installations. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom code implementations. The remediation process involves verifying plugin versions, applying official security patches from the plugin developer, or completely removing the vulnerable plugin from the WordPress environment. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning of WordPress installations to identify outdated plugins and themes that may contain known vulnerabilities. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting known XSS attack patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and maintaining robust security practices for content management systems.