CVE-2011-5193 in samswhois
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in vendors/samswhois/samswhois.inc.php in the Whois Search plugin 1.4.2.3 for WordPress, when the WHOIS widget is enabled, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the domain parameter to index.php, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-5194.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The CVE-2011-5193 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Whois Search plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting version 1.4.2.3. This vulnerability resides in the vendors/samswhois/samswhois.inc.php file and becomes exploitable when the WHOIS widget functionality is enabled. The attack vector involves remote attackers injecting malicious web scripts or HTML content through the domain parameter in the index.php file, creating a persistent security risk for WordPress installations that utilize this plugin.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase. When users interact with the WHOIS widget and provide domain names for search queries, the application fails to properly escape or filter the input data before rendering it in the web page context. This allows attackers to craft malicious domain names containing script tags or other HTML elements that get executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who view the results. The vulnerability specifically affects the processing of the domain parameter, making it a classic example of reflected cross-site scripting as described in CWE-79, which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of affected users' browsers. This could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in WordPress environments where multiple users may interact with the WHOIS widget functionality, creating a broader attack surface. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent malicious presence on vulnerable sites, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity across the entire WordPress installation.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in relation to the broader ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1566 technique for initial access through malicious inputs and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, aligning with security recommendations from organizations like OWASP and NIST. Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address this flaw, implementing proper content security policies, and conducting regular security audits of third-party WordPress plugins. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization measures to reduce the risk of exploitation, while ensuring that all WordPress components remain updated to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.