CVE-2008-4671 in Wordpress MU
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wp-admin/wp-blogs.php in Wordpress MU (WPMU) before 2.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) s and (2) ip_address parameters.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4671 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in WordPress MU versions prior to 2.6, specifically within the wp-admin/wp-blogs.php administrative script. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution through malicious web script injection, potentially compromising user sessions and system integrity. The flaw affects the administrative interface where users can manage multiple blogs, making it a significant concern for multi-user WordPress installations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can enable attackers to steal cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the wp-blogs.php script. Attackers can exploit the s and ip_address parameters by injecting malicious JavaScript code or HTML content directly into these fields. When the application processes these parameters without proper encoding or filtering, the malicious content gets rendered in the browser context of authenticated users. This occurs because the application fails to implement proper output encoding mechanisms that would neutralize potentially harmful content before it reaches end users. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for WordPress MU installations, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of authenticated users' browsers. Successful exploitation could lead to session hijacking, unauthorized administrative actions, data theft, and potential full system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the administrative interface where sensitive operations occur, and the attack vector requires no authentication from the attacker's perspective. Users with administrative privileges become prime targets, as the injected scripts can perform actions with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability also enables social engineering attacks where malicious scripts can manipulate user interfaces to deceive administrators into performing unintended actions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4671 involve immediate patching of WordPress MU installations to version 2.6 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that validate all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for parameters used in administrative interfaces. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring for suspicious script injection patterns, though this should not replace proper application-level fixes. Regular security audits of WordPress installations should include checks for deprecated plugins and themes that may introduce similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies including proper access controls, regular security updates, and monitoring for anomalous administrative activities. Additionally, implementing content security policies can provide browser-level protection against script injection attacks, though the primary fix must occur at the application level to address the root cause of the vulnerability.