CVE-2012-6714 in count-per-day Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The count-per-day plugin before 3.2.3 for WordPress has XSS via search words.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The CVE-2012-6714 vulnerability affects the count-per-day plugin for WordPress systems prior to version 3.2.3, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into search functionality. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user-supplied search parameters, creating an avenue for persistent threat actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of a victim's browser session. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's search word processing functionality, which fails to properly escape or filter potentially malicious user input before rendering it in web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when users perform searches within a WordPress site utilizing the affected count-per-day plugin. When search terms containing malicious script code are submitted, the plugin processes these inputs without sufficient sanitization measures, allowing the injected payloads to be stored and subsequently executed when other users view the search results page. This creates a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious domains, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, specifically addressing the failure to properly escape output data.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6714 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that leverage the compromised WordPress environment. Threat actors can use this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, harvest sensitive user credentials, or manipulate search result displays to spread further malware. The vulnerability affects not only the plugin's immediate functionality but also the broader WordPress ecosystem, as compromised sites can become part of botnet operations or serve as launch points for attacks against other systems. This type of vulnerability falls under ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically targeting credential harvesting through malicious web content, and demonstrates how seemingly minor plugin flaws can create significant security risks in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6714 primarily focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 3.2.3 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding measures. Administrators should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, including server-side filtering of search parameters and client-side output encoding to prevent script execution. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious search parameter patterns, implementing content security policies to restrict script execution, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins to identify outdated or vulnerable components. Network monitoring should specifically track unusual search activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while user education programs can help reduce the risk of accidental exploitation through social engineering attacks targeting the vulnerable search functionality.