CVE-2012-5388 in White-label-cms
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wlcms-plugin.php in the White Label CMS plugin 1.5 for WordPress allows remote authenticated administrators to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the wlcms_o_developer_name parameter in a save action to wp-admin/admin.php, a related issue to CVE-2012-5387.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5388 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the White Label CMS plugin version 1.5 for WordPress platforms. This security weakness specifically targets the wlcms-plugin.php file and affects authenticated administrator users who possess the necessary privileges to access the WordPress administrative interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data within the plugin's configuration saving functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the wlcms_o_developer_name parameter during a save operation executed via wp-admin/admin.php. When an authenticated administrator performs a configuration save action, the plugin fails to adequately sanitize the input received through this parameter before storing or rendering it within the web interface. This creates a persistent XSS vector that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content into the plugin's administrative interface. The flaw is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically manifesting as cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code in the context of the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities within the compromised administrative session. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, modify plugin configurations, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The fact that this issue is related to CVE-2012-5387 indicates a broader pattern of insufficient input validation within the White Label CMS plugin, suggesting that similar vulnerabilities may exist in other parameters or functions within the same codebase. This makes the overall plugin more susceptible to comprehensive exploitation and increases the attack surface for potential adversaries.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. The vulnerability enables an attacker who has already gained administrative access to further compromise the system through persistent script execution. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the White Label CMS plugin to version 1.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, such as using WordPress's built-in sanitization functions and wp_kses for HTML filtering, can prevent similar issues in the future. Regular security auditing of WordPress plugins, especially those with administrative privileges, is essential to identify and remediate such vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of least privilege principles, ensuring that administrative functions are properly protected and that input validation occurs at multiple layers within the application architecture.