CVE-2011-5207 in TheCartPress
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/OptionsPostsList.php in the TheCartPress plugin for WordPress before 1.1.6 before 2011-12-31 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the tcp_name_post_XXXXX parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The CVE-2011-5207 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the TheCartPress plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.1.6 released before the end of 2011. This vulnerability resides within the admin/OptionsPostsList.php file and demonstrates a classic input validation weakness that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated admin sessions. The flaw occurs when the tcp_name_post_XXX parameter is processed without proper sanitization, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed by other administrators or users with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient output escaping and input validation within the WordPress plugin's administrative interface. When administrators navigate to the posts listing page, the plugin fails to properly sanitize the tcp_name_post_XXX parameter, which is typically used for post naming conventions. This parameter is directly incorporated into the HTML output without appropriate encoding or filtering, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML elements that persist in the administrative interface. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the admin panel where users have elevated privileges, potentially enabling attackers to gain complete control over the WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to compromise entire WordPress installations. Attackers can leverage this XSS vulnerability to execute malicious scripts that may steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify content, or even install backdoors. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly attractive to threat actors who may not possess advanced hacking capabilities. Additionally, the fact that this affects the administrative interface means that successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the WordPress site, including potential data exfiltration, defacement, or the installation of malware.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, and demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents an attack vector through a public-facing WordPress plugin interface. The vulnerability also connects to T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers may use the injected scripts to redirect traffic or perform DNS-based attacks. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of this vulnerability, as the timeframe for exploitation was relatively short given the plugin's widespread use in e-commerce WordPress installations. The remediation process involves updating to TheCartPress version 1.1.6 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms to prevent the injection of malicious content.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of plugin security in WordPress ecosystems, where third-party components often introduce significant attack surface. Many WordPress installations rely on plugins for core functionality, making vulnerabilities in these components particularly dangerous as they can affect thousands of sites simultaneously. This case study underscores the necessity of regular security audits, proper input validation, and output encoding practices in web application development, particularly for administrative interfaces where privilege escalation opportunities exist. The vulnerability also demonstrates how seemingly minor input handling flaws can have major security consequences when they occur in privileged contexts, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.