CVE-2011-0740 in RSS Feed Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in magpie/scripts/magpie_slashbox.php in RSS Feed Reader 0.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the rss_url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0740 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the RSS Feed Reader plugin version 0.1 for WordPress systems. This issue resides in the magpie_slashbox.php script which processes RSS feed URLs submitted by users. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before it is rendered in web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs containing embedded scripts or HTML code within the rss_url parameter, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected page.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw occurs because the application directly incorporates user-provided input into dynamically generated web content without appropriate sanitization measures. This allows malicious actors to inject client-side scripts that can execute in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication from the attacker and can be exploited through simple URL manipulation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains within compromised WordPress environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal administrator cookies, modify content, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects the broader WordPress ecosystem since it demonstrates poor input handling practices that could be present in other components of the same plugin or similar third-party integrations. This makes it a significant concern for WordPress administrators managing multiple sites or those with less technical expertise in security hardening.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0740 should include immediate patching of the RSS Feed Reader plugin to version 0.1 or later, which contains proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters in all user-supplied data before processing. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious payloads, while security monitoring should include regular scanning for vulnerable plugins. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices including regular updates, proper access controls, and security awareness training for administrators. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can use it to execute malicious code and establish persistent access through infected user sessions.