CVE-2012-2916 in Simple Anti Bot Registration Engine Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in sabre_class_admin.php in the SABRE plugin before 2.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the active_option parameter to wp-admin/tools.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The CVE-2012-2916 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the SABRE plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.1. This vulnerability resides in the sabre_class_admin.php file and exposes the WordPress administration interface to remote code execution through malicious script injection. The flaw manifests when the active_option parameter is manipulated in the wp-admin/tools.php endpoint, creating an avenue for attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the administrative interface. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the WordPress admin environment where trusted users interact with sensitive administrative functions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which classifies cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or escaping. This particular implementation flaw allows attackers to bypass standard security controls by exploiting the parameter handling within the WordPress admin tools interface. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the administrative backend where users typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions, making the potential attack surface significantly more impactful than typical frontend XSS vulnerabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk to WordPress installations using the affected SABRE plugin version. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated admin sessions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack requires minimal privileges as the vulnerability exists within the WordPress administration interface where legitimate administrative functions are performed. Once exploited, attackers can modify plugin configurations, inject malicious code into the admin interface, or potentially escalate privileges to gain unauthorized access to the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability's location within wp-admin/tools.php means that any user with access to this administrative endpoint could become a vector for broader attacks.
The exploitation of CVE-2012-2916 follows ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control through scripting, specifically targeting the web application layer where administrative functions are executed. The vulnerability's remediation requires immediate patching to version 2.1 or later of the SABRE plugin, as this update addresses the improper input validation and sanitization that allowed the malicious parameter injection. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of WordPress plugins, monitoring for unauthorized modifications to admin interfaces, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and maintaining proper input validation across all administrative interfaces to prevent such persistent threats from compromising system integrity.