CVE-2012-2404 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
wp-comments-post.php in WordPress before 3.3.2 supports offsite redirects, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2404 resides within the wp-comments-post.php file of WordPress versions prior to 3.3.2, representing a significant security flaw that enabled malicious actors to exploit cross-site scripting vulnerabilities through offsite redirect functionality. This issue demonstrates how seemingly innocuous redirect mechanisms can be weaponized to bypass security controls and execute malicious code within user browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the comment submission process where WordPress allows redirects to external domains without proper validation, creating an attack surface that adversaries could leverage to inject malicious scripts into user sessions.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of redirect URLs within the comment posting mechanism, where the system fails to validate or sanitize external URLs before processing redirects. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious comment submissions that contain crafted redirect URLs pointing to malicious domains, which then execute in the context of the victim's browser. The vulnerability operates under CWE-601, which specifically addresses URL redirect vulnerabilities where applications redirect users to untrusted domains without proper validation, making it a prime example of insecure redirection practices that enable XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a vector to execute arbitrary code in user browsers and potentially steal session cookies, credentials, or perform other malicious actions on behalf of authenticated users. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where WordPress is used for content management with significant user interaction, as it allows attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain elevated privileges within the WordPress environment. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be automated, making it attractive to threat actors seeking to exploit large user bases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2404 primarily involve upgrading to WordPress version 3.3.2 or later, which includes proper URL validation and sanitization mechanisms within the comment submission process. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as content security policy headers, input validation for all comment fields, and regular security audits of WordPress installations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious links, and demonstrates how redirect vulnerabilities can be leveraged to establish persistent access through XSS attacks. Security teams should also monitor for suspicious comment activity and implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious redirect attempts. Regular patch management and security awareness training for administrators remain critical components in defending against such vulnerabilities.