CVE-2011-0700 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in WordPress before 3.0.5 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to (1) the Quick/Bulk Edit title (aka post title or post_title), (2) post_status, (3) comment_status, (4) ping_status, and (5) escaping of tags within the tags meta box.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0700 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in WordPress versions prior to 3.0.5, affecting the content management system's core functionality and user security. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface where authenticated users can manipulate post and comment metadata through various editing mechanisms. The flaw exists in the sanitization and output escaping processes within WordPress's post management system, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability impacts the WordPress administrative dashboard where users can perform quick edits and bulk operations on posts, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users with relatively low privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping within WordPress's administrative interface. When administrators perform quick or bulk editing operations, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in HTML contexts. The five specific vectors affected include the post title field, post status selection, comment status settings, ping status configurations, and tag meta box content processing. These areas are particularly susceptible because they handle user-provided data that gets directly rendered into HTML without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web page generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables authenticated attackers to leverage their privileges for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. An attacker with contributor or editor level access could exploit these vulnerabilities to inject malicious JavaScript into posts or comments, which would then execute whenever other users view the affected content. This could lead to session theft, unauthorized content modification, or even privilege escalation within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects the core administrative workflow where users expect secure handling of their content, making it particularly concerning for content management systems that handle sensitive information. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing via Social Media) and T1566.002 (Phishing via Email) as attackers can craft malicious posts that trick other users into executing malicious code, as well as T1071.001 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols) since the attack occurs through web-based interfaces.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0700 involve immediate patching of WordPress installations to version 3.0.5 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Administrators should implement strict role-based access controls, ensuring that only trusted users have access to editing functions that could be exploited. Additional defensive measures include regular security audits of WordPress installations, implementing content security policies to prevent script execution, and monitoring for suspicious editing activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor security flaws in administrative interfaces can have significant consequences. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their WordPress installations. The fix implemented in WordPress 3.0.5 involved comprehensive sanitization of user inputs across all affected fields and proper escaping of HTML content to prevent XSS execution, aligning with industry best practices for preventing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.