CVE-2012-6713 in job-manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The job-manager plugin before 0.7.19 for WordPress has multiple XSS issues.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The job-manager plugin for WordPress versions prior to 0.7.19 contains multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that pose significant security risks to affected websites. These vulnerabilities arise from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, particularly in job listing submission forms and administrative interfaces where user input is not properly escaped or validated before being rendered back to users. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws.
The technical implementation of these XSS vulnerabilities occurs when the plugin fails to sanitize user input before displaying it in HTML contexts. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads through job posting forms, user profiles, or administrative sections of the plugin. When other users view these malicious entries, their browsers execute the injected scripts within the context of the vulnerable website, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects both reflected and stored XSS scenarios, making it particularly dangerous as malicious scripts can persist in the database and affect multiple users over time. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can craft malicious job listings that trick users into executing harmful code.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6713 extends beyond simple script execution, as compromised websites can be used for various malicious activities including data exfiltration, defacement, or as part of larger attack campaigns. Website administrators who fail to update to version 0.7.19 or later remain vulnerable to persistent attacks where malicious scripts can steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for job board websites that rely heavily on user-generated content, as attackers can inject scripts that target administrators or other privileged users who may have elevated access levels. This creates a potential escalation path where attackers can gain unauthorized access to administrative functions or extract sensitive data from the compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate upgrading to job-manager plugin version 0.7.19 or later, which contains proper input validation and output sanitization measures. Administrators should also implement additional security layers including content security policies, regular security audits of user-generated content, and monitoring for suspicious activity patterns. The fix typically involves implementing proper HTML escaping techniques, using WordPress's built-in sanitization functions, and ensuring all user input undergoes rigorous validation before being processed or displayed. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code. Additionally, user education about the risks of clicking suspicious links or submitting untrusted content can help reduce the attack surface for these types of vulnerabilities.