CVE-2012-2401 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
Plupload before 1.5.4, as used in wp-includes/js/plupload/ in WordPress before 3.3.2 and other products, enables scripting regardless of the domain from which the SWF content was loaded, which allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy via crafted content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2401 represents a critical security flaw in the Plupload library version 1.5.4 and earlier, which was widely utilized in WordPress installations prior to version 3.3.2. This issue stems from improper handling of cross-domain scripting restrictions within the Flash-based upload component, specifically in the SWF content loading mechanism. The vulnerability exists in how the library manages the security context when loading SWF files from different domains, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent fundamental web security measures.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the Flash Player's security model handling within the Plupload library. When SWF content is loaded from external domains, the library fails to properly enforce the Same Origin Policy restrictions that normally prevent scripts from one domain from accessing resources or executing code on another domain. This misconfiguration allows attackers to inject malicious Flash content that can execute arbitrary code in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability specifically affects the cross-domain policy handling within the Flash component, where the security sandbox is improperly configured to allow scripting across domain boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables remote code execution attacks that can compromise entire web applications. Attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass standard security mechanisms that protect against cross-site scripting attacks, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects not only WordPress installations but also any other software products that utilize the affected version of Plupload, making it a widespread concern across multiple platforms. The ability to bypass the Same Origin Policy creates opportunities for attackers to access sensitive data, perform unauthorized actions, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within compromised systems.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code," and relates to the broader category of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this issue aligns with T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" and T1566 for "Phishing" as attackers can use this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts in victim browsers. The attack surface expands significantly when considering that many WordPress plugins and themes rely on Plupload for file handling functionality, creating multiple potential entry points for exploitation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Plupload and WordPress, implementing proper content security policies, and monitoring for suspicious file upload activities.
The remediation strategy requires immediate patching of affected WordPress installations to version 3.3.2 or later, along with updating all instances of Plupload to version 1.5.4 or higher. Security administrators should also review and restrict file upload capabilities where possible, implement proper input validation for uploaded files, and consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious upload attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits of their web applications to identify other potential vulnerabilities in third-party libraries and ensure proper security configurations are in place to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.