CVE-2012-5913 in WordPress Integrator
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wp-integrator.php in the WordPress Integrator module 1.32 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the redirect_to parameter to wp-login.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5913 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WordPress Integrator module version 1.32, specifically affecting the wp-integrator.php component. This security weakness enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through manipulation of the redirect_to parameter in the wp-login.php endpoint. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into web page responses. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize or incorrectly sanitizing user-provided data, making it susceptible to injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized commands.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the redirect_to parameter of the WordPress login page. When a victim clicks such a link and is redirected to wp-login.php, the malicious script gets executed in the victim's browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, performing unauthorized actions, or redirecting users to malicious sites. This type of attack falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web application interfaces through script injection methods. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it leverages the legitimate WordPress login mechanism, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious redirects.
The operational consequences of this XSS vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution to encompass potential session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal administrator credentials, modify website content, or establish persistent backdoors through session manipulation. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations using the compromised Integrator module version 1.32, creating widespread exposure across numerous websites and potentially enabling large-scale attacks against user bases. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of credential compromise and unauthorized content modification, as the attack requires no special privileges beyond access to craft malicious URLs and can affect any user who clicks on the crafted link.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5913 should prioritize immediate patching of the WordPress Integrator module to version 1.33 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and output sanitization fixes. Administrators should implement proper input validation on all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in redirect mechanisms, by employing strict whitelisting of allowed redirect URLs or implementing proper URL encoding and escaping techniques. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection by restricting script execution and preventing unauthorized code injection. Organizations should also conduct regular security audits of their WordPress installations, monitor for unauthorized modifications, and maintain up-to-date security practices including regular updates to all plugins and themes. Network-based intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts, while user education regarding suspicious links and redirects can reduce successful social engineering attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project, specifically addressing the prevention of XSS vulnerabilities through proper sanitization and validation of user inputs.