CVE-2012-6628 in Newsletter Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Newsletter Manager plugin before 1.0.2 for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) xyz_em_campName to admin/create_campaign.php or (2) admin/edit_campaign.php, (3) xyz_em_email parameter to admin/edit_email.php, (4) xyz_em_exportbatchSize parameter to import_export.php, or (5) pagination limit in the Newsletter Manager options.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2022
The CVE-2012-6628 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Newsletter Manager plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 1.0.2. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's administrative interfaces, creating multiple attack vectors that enable remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected websites. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user-supplied parameters in various administrative scripts, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress sites that rely on this newsletter functionality. The flaw exists due to the plugin's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input before rendering it within web pages, which directly aligns with CWE-79, the standard classification for cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through five distinct parameter injection points within the plugin's administrative interface. The first vector involves the xyz_em_campName parameter in the admin/create_campaign.php script, where unvalidated campaign names can be used to inject malicious JavaScript code. The second vector operates through the admin/edit_campaign.php script with the same xyz_em_campName parameter, while the third target involves the xyz_em_email parameter in admin/edit_email.php, allowing attackers to inject malicious content into email templates. The fourth vulnerability exists in the import_export.php script through the xyz_em_exportbatchSize parameter, and the fifth vector targets the pagination limit configuration within the Newsletter Manager options. These injection points demonstrate a pattern of insufficient data validation across multiple administrative functions, creating a comprehensive attack surface for malicious actors.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6628 extends beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of affected WordPress installations. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to steal administrator credentials, inject malicious content into newsletters that will be delivered to subscribers, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability's presence in administrative interfaces makes it particularly dangerous as it can enable attackers to modify campaign configurations, manipulate email content, or even create new campaigns with malicious payloads. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of web applications, and the ability to persist in administrative contexts makes this a high-value target for attackers seeking long-term access to WordPress sites. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate functionality of the newsletter plugin but also the broader security posture of WordPress installations that fail to update to patched versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6628 primarily focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 1.0.2 or later, which contain proper input sanitization and validation measures. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all WordPress plugins remain current with security updates, particularly those with administrative interfaces. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple levels including server-side validation, output encoding, and proper parameter handling within the plugin's codebase. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious patterns in administrative requests, and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers. Security hardening practices should include restricting administrative access through IP whitelisting, implementing multi-factor authentication, and regularly auditing plugin configurations. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 and its exploitation patterns align with standard security practices for preventing XSS attacks through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify similar issues in other plugins or custom code within their WordPress environments.