CVE-2012-4921 in DVS Custom Notification plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in the DVS Custom Notification plugin 1.0.1 and earlier for WordPress allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that (1) change application settings or (2) conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The CVE-2012-4921 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the DVS Custom Notification plugin version 1.0.1 and earlier for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanisms of WordPress administrator accounts, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any privileged credentials. The flaw exists in how the plugin handles user authentication tokens and request validation, allowing malicious actors to craft forged requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress system.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF token validation within the plugin's administrative interfaces. When administrators perform actions such as modifying application settings or executing operations that could lead to XSS attacks, the plugin fails to verify that requests originate from authenticated users with proper authorization. This oversight creates a fundamental weakness in the plugin's security architecture, as it relies on the assumption that requests are legitimate without proper token verification. The vulnerability operates at the web application level and specifically affects the authentication flow within WordPress admin panels where the DVS Custom Notification plugin is installed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to perform privileged actions on behalf of administrators without their knowledge or consent. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to modify critical application settings, potentially disabling security features, changing user permissions, or altering plugin configurations that could lead to further compromise. Additionally, the vulnerability's potential for XSS exploitation creates a dangerous escalation path where attackers can inject malicious scripts into the application, leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further system compromise. This dual nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as it can be used both for privilege escalation and for creating persistent attack vectors within the compromised WordPress environment.
The security implications extend beyond immediate administrative compromise, as this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation and credential access. The vulnerability maps to CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery weaknesses in web applications. Organizations running affected WordPress installations face significant risk of unauthorized administrative access, which could lead to complete system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that WordPress remains one of the most widely deployed content management systems, making plugins like DVS Custom Notification prime targets for exploitation. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and authentication token implementation in web application security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4921 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF token validation issues. System administrators must ensure that all WordPress plugins are regularly updated and maintained to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The implementation of proper anti-CSRF token mechanisms should be enforced at the application level, requiring verification of authentication tokens for all administrative actions. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious administrative activities, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access controls and multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of potential authentication compromises. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the critical need for thorough security testing of web applications and their third-party components.