CVE-2010-4277 in embedded-video
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in lembedded-video.php in the Embedded Video plugin 4.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the content parameter to wp-admin/post.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4277 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Embedded Video plugin version 4.1 for WordPress platforms. This security weakness resides in the lembedded-video.php file and specifically targets the content parameter handling within the wp-admin/post.php administrative interface. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into WordPress posts, creating a significant vector for attacker exploitation.
This vulnerability operates through a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data from the content parameter is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered back to users. The issue stems from the plugin's inadequate handling of user input within the WordPress admin environment, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the administrative interface, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges or manipulate content within the WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and unauthorized content modification. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the browser of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete compromise of the WordPress administrative account. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves social engineering through malicious content delivery. The flaw demonstrates how poorly validated user input in web applications can create persistent security risks that affect the entire WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations using the specific Embedded Video plugin version 4.1, making it particularly relevant for organizations that have not updated their plugins to newer versions that address this security gap.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4277 require immediate plugin updates to versions that properly sanitize input parameters and implement proper output encoding. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns, conduct regular security audits of installed plugins, and ensure comprehensive patch management procedures are in place. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts and maintain regular backups to facilitate recovery from potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of keeping all WordPress plugins updated to protect against known security flaws that attackers can readily exploit.