CVE-2008-1304 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in WordPress 2.3.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) inviteemail parameter in an invite action to wp-admin/users.php and the (2) to parameter in a sent action to wp-admin/invites.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1304 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting WordPress version 2.3.2, specifically targeting the administrative user management interfaces. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution risks where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's administrative environment. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors within the WordPress administration panel, creating multiple entry points for potential exploitation and compromising the integrity of the user management system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the WordPress core codebase. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the inviteemail parameter within the wp-admin/users.php file during an invite action, or by manipulating the to parameter in wp-admin/invites.php during a sent action. These parameters fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the web page context, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be executed in the browsers of legitimate users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions within the WordPress administration interface, or redirect users to malicious websites. When administrators or users with elevated privileges access the compromised pages, the injected scripts execute in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to gain full administrative control over the WordPress installation. This represents a significant threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application and its associated data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1304 require immediate implementation of the official WordPress security patch version 2.3.3, which addresses the input validation flaws in the affected parameters. Organizations should also implement proper input sanitization measures at the application level, including HTML encoding of all user-supplied data before rendering in web pages. Additionally, security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to limit the execution of inline scripts and prevent unauthorized code injection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access and privilege escalation within targeted environments.