CVE-2011-5128 in Adminimize
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Adminimize plugin before 1.7.22 for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the page parameter to (1) inc-options/deinstall_options.php, (2) inc-options/theme_options.php, or (3) inc-options/im_export_options.php, or the (4) post or (5) post_ID parameters to adminimize.php, different vectors than CVE-2011-4926.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2019
The CVE-2011-5128 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the WordPress Adminimize plugin, affecting versions prior to 1.7.22. This vulnerability exposes WordPress installations to remote code execution risks through multiple attack vectors within the plugin's administrative interfaces. The flaw specifically targets parameter handling in several key plugin files including deinstall_options.php, theme_options.php, im_export_options.php, and the main adminimize.php file, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various entry points within the plugin's administrative functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's parameter processing mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious JavaScript or HTML code through the affected parameters, specifically targeting the page parameter in three different option files and the post or post_ID parameters in the main adminimize.php file. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied input is directly incorporated into web page responses without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated admin sessions. This type of flaw falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in software applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5128 is severe as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to WordPress administrative interfaces and potentially compromise entire websites. When exploited, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts that can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify website content, or even install backdoors. The attack vectors are particularly concerning because they target administrative interfaces where users have elevated privileges, making the potential damage significantly greater than typical XSS vulnerabilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for social engineering through malicious content delivery, as attackers can craft payloads that appear legitimate within the WordPress admin environment.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress administrators who may not be aware of the specific attack vectors. The affected plugin files represent core administrative functionality, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of WordPress installations, especially when administrators with elevated privileges interact with maliciously crafted URLs. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated, as outdated plugins often contain known vulnerabilities that attackers can leverage to gain unauthorized access to websites. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all WordPress plugins remain current with security updates, particularly focusing on administrative plugins that handle sensitive data and user privileges. The vulnerability also highlights the need for proper input validation and output encoding practices in web application development, aligning with security standards that emphasize defense-in-depth approaches to prevent injection attacks and maintain application integrity.