CVE-2012-4448 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in wp-admin/index.php in WordPress 3.4.2 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that modify an RSS URL via a dashboard_incoming_links edit action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2017
The CVE-2012-4448 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in WordPress version 3.4.2, specifically within the wp-admin/index.php file. This vulnerability operates through the dashboard_incoming_links edit action, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit administrative sessions and manipulate RSS feed configurations. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of the origin and authenticity of requests made through the WordPress administrative interface, particularly when modifying incoming links from RSS feeds.
This CSRF vulnerability exposes WordPress installations to unauthorized administrative actions by allowing malicious actors to craft specially crafted requests that appear to originate from legitimate administrative sessions. When administrators visit compromised pages or click on malicious links, the system processes requests to modify RSS URLs without proper verification of user intent or session authenticity. The vulnerability specifically targets the dashboard functionality where incoming links are managed, making it particularly dangerous as it operates within the trusted administrative environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple RSS feed modification, as it enables attackers to potentially gain persistent access to administrative functions and execute further malicious activities within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this flaw to modify feed configurations, potentially redirecting users to malicious sites or injecting harmful content into the dashboard. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that no local access or credentials are required for successful exploitation, making it particularly concerning for widespread deployment.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery conditions in web applications. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts used for persistence, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to maintain administrative access. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected WordPress installations to version 3.4.3 or later, implementing proper CSRF tokens for all administrative actions, and configuring web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious request patterns. Additionally, administrators should enforce multi-factor authentication and regularly audit administrative session activities to detect potential unauthorized access attempts.