CVE-2011-5257 in Classipress
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Classipress theme before 3.1.5 for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) twitter_id parameter related to the Twitter widget and (2) facebook_id parameter related to the Facebook widget.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The CVE-2011-5257 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Classipress theme for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 3.1.5. This vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit the theme's handling of social media widget parameters. The flaw specifically targets the Twitter widget through the twitter_id parameter and the Facebook widget through the facebook_id parameter, creating pathways for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within users' browsers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the theme's widget implementations, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's user interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns for XSS attacks, where unvalidated user input flows directly into the application's output without proper sanitization or encoding. The twitter_id and facebook_id parameters serve as entry points for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that gets rendered in the widget displays. When legitimate users view pages containing these vulnerable widgets, their browsers execute the injected code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines the weakness of cross-site scripting in software applications, and represents a classic case of reflected XSS where malicious input is immediately reflected back to users without proper security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5257 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with opportunities to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. Attackers could leverage these vulnerabilities to steal cookies, modify user preferences, or redirect users to phishing sites that mimic legitimate WordPress interfaces. The vulnerability particularly affects WordPress users who rely on Classipress theme's social media integration features, making it a significant concern for businesses and individuals using this theme for online advertising or community building. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that these widgets are commonly used across various WordPress installations, increasing the potential for widespread exploitation.
Security mitigations for CVE-2011-5257 should focus on immediate patching of the Classipress theme to version 3.1.5 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and sanitization fixes. Organizations should implement proper output encoding for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in widget configurations, to prevent malicious code execution. The remediation process should include thorough input validation that strips or encodes special characters in twitter_id and facebook_id parameters before processing. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1213 for credential access and T1566 for social engineering attacks that leverage web application vulnerabilities.