CVE-2012-2579 in WP SimpleMail
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the WP SimpleMail plugin 1.0.6 for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) To, (2) From, (3) Date, or (4) Subject field of an email.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The CVE-2012-2579 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the WP SimpleMail plugin version 1.0.6 for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the plugin's email handling functionality. The flaw exists in how the plugin processes email metadata fields including To, From, Date, and Subject, which are commonly used in email transmission and display operations within WordPress environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding within the WP SimpleMail plugin's email processing routines. When users submit emails through the plugin interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided data in the specified email metadata fields. This omission creates a pathway for malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected email messages. The vulnerability affects the plugin's ability to properly validate and sanitize input data before it is rendered in the web interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2579 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute persistent XSS attacks against WordPress administrators or other users who view the compromised email messages. This capability allows for session hijacking, credential theft, and potential privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. The attack vector is particularly concerning because email metadata fields are frequently accessed and displayed in various administrative interfaces, making the attack surface wide and the exploitation potential high. The vulnerability can be exploited through simple web requests without requiring authentication, making it a significant threat to WordPress installations using the affected plugin.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by updating the WP SimpleMail plugin to a patched version that implements proper input validation and output encoding. The mitigation strategy should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, enabling WordPress's built-in XSS protection mechanisms, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit XSS vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting, where adversaries leverage XSS to execute malicious code in user browsers. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines for preventing injection flaws in web applications.