CVE-2012-5325 in Shortcode-redirect
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the scr_do_redirect function in scr.php in the Shortcode Redirect plugin 1.0.01 and earlier for WordPress allow remote authenticated users with certain permissions to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) url or (2) sec attributes in a redirect tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5325 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Shortcode Redirect plugin for WordPress systems. This issue affects versions 1.0.01 and earlier, where the scr_do_redirect function in the scr.php file fails to properly sanitize user input parameters. The vulnerability specifically targets the url and sec attributes within redirect tags, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by authenticated users who possess certain permissions within the WordPress environment.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the plugin's shortcode processing mechanism. When the scr_do_redirect function processes redirect tags containing the vulnerable url or sec attributes, it fails to sanitize or escape the input data before rendering it in the web page context. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the browsers of other users who view pages containing these manipulated shortcodes. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers with sufficient permissions to potentially escalate their privileges or conduct more sophisticated attacks. An authenticated user with capabilities to create or edit content can leverage this flaw to inject malicious scripts that could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of other users. The attack requires minimal privileges but can result in significant compromise of the WordPress site's integrity and user data security. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access or privilege escalation.
The security implications of CVE-2012-5325 demonstrate the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications, particularly within content management systems where users may have varying permission levels. The vulnerability highlights how seemingly minor flaws in plugin code can create substantial security risks when dealing with user-generated content processing. Organizations using the Shortcode Redirect plugin version 1.0.01 or earlier should immediately implement mitigations including plugin updates, input sanitization measures, and monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage. The remediation process should involve updating to the patched version of the plugin while also implementing additional security controls such as content security policies and regular security audits of installed WordPress plugins to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.