CVE-2012-2917 in Share
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Share and Follow plugin 1.80.3 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the CDN API Key (cnd-key) in a share-and-follow-menu page to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2917 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Share and Follow plugin version 1.80.3 for WordPress platforms. This security weakness specifically targets the plugin's handling of user input through the CDN API Key parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected WordPress installations. The vulnerability exists in the administrative interface of WordPress, specifically within the share-and-follow-menu page located at wp-admin/admin.php, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers who have gained access to administrative privileges or who can trick administrators into executing malicious payloads.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase. When the plugin processes the cnd-key parameter through the administrative interface, it fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in the web page context. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the browser of any user who views the affected administrative page, particularly those with administrative privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically manifesting as a reflected cross-site scripting attack where malicious code is reflected back to the user through the application's response.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, or redirect users to malicious websites. Given that the vulnerability exists within the WordPress admin interface, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain full administrative control over affected sites, potentially leading to complete compromise of the WordPress installation. This risk is compounded by the fact that many WordPress administrators may not be aware of the specific vulnerability within the plugin, making the attack surface broader and more difficult to detect. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.001 for privilege escalation through administrative access and T1566.001 for initial access via malicious web content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2917 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the vendor likely released patches to properly sanitize the cnd-key parameter input. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other custom plugins or themes. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins and themes, ensuring that all third-party components are regularly updated and reviewed for security vulnerabilities. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed within the WordPress environment.