CVE-2012-4242 in MF Gig Calendar
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the MF Gig Calendar plugin 0.9.2 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query string to the calendar page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2025
The CVE-2012-4242 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the MF Gig Calendar WordPress plugin version 0.9.2, demonstrating how seemingly innocuous calendar functionality can become a vector for sophisticated web attacks. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user input within the query string parameters of calendar pages, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. The issue manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before rendering it within the web page context, allowing attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted input sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns for XSS attacks, specifically targeting the plugin's calendar display functionality where query string parameters are directly incorporated into the page output without adequate input validation or output encoding. When a user visits a calendar page with maliciously crafted query parameters, the plugin processes these inputs and includes them in the HTML response without proper sanitization, enabling the execution of malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser session. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as the improper handling of input data that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web applications viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform session hijacking, deface web pages, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious sites. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute persistent XSS attacks that compromise user sessions, particularly if the calendar page is frequently visited or if the plugin is used in conjunction with other vulnerable components. The risk is amplified in environments where administrators or users have elevated privileges, as the injected scripts could potentially escalate privileges or access sensitive administrative functions. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding practices, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks, where XSS remains consistently ranked among the most critical web application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4242 should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, implementation of proper input sanitization routines, and deployment of web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious query parameters. Organizations should also implement content security policies to limit script execution and employ regular security scanning of WordPress installations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes. The remediation process should involve thorough testing of updated plugin versions to ensure compatibility while maintaining security controls, and administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious query string patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date web applications and the necessity of comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle, as defined by the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and other industry standards for secure coding practices.