CVE-2012-6624 in SoundCloud Is Gold
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the SoundCloud Is Gold plugin 2.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the width parameter in a soundcloud_is_gold_player_preview action to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The CVE-2012-6624 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the SoundCloud Is Gold plugin version 2.1 for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user input through the width parameter in the soundcloud_is_gold_player_preview action, which is processed through the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated admin sessions, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the plugin's administrative interface. When administrators access the soundcloud_is_gold_player_preview action through the AJAX endpoint, the plugin fails to properly sanitize the width parameter before incorporating it into dynamic HTML output. This oversight creates a classic XSS attack vector where malicious actors can inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the browser of any user who views the affected administrative page. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the wp-admin context, providing attackers with elevated privileges and access to administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete administrative compromise of WordPress sites. Attackers can leverage this flaw to modify plugin settings, upload malicious files, create new administrative users, or even execute arbitrary code on the server. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites since it targets the administrative AJAX interface, which is typically accessible to authenticated users with sufficient privileges. This makes it particularly attractive to attackers who may have obtained credentials through other means or who can perform credential harvesting attacks against WordPress administrators.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader web application security principles and threat modeling frameworks. The flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security issues. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through script injection. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1548.001 privilege escalation, as it allows attackers to gain elevated privileges within the WordPress administrative context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6624 should include immediate plugin updates to versions that properly sanitize input parameters and implement proper output encoding. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint. Additionally, security measures such as content security policy headers, input validation at multiple layers, and regular security audits of WordPress plugins can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be implemented to limit the potential damage if the vulnerability is successfully exploited. The remediation process should also include monitoring for suspicious activities in the WordPress administrative interface and implementing proper logging of AJAX requests to detect potential exploitation attempts.