CVE-2012-6715 in FormBuilder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The formbuilder plugin before 0.9.1 for WordPress has XSS via a Referer header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6715 affects the formbuilder plugin version 0.9.1 and earlier for the WordPress content management system. This represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper input validation within the plugin's handling of HTTP Referer headers. The issue stems from the plugin's failure to sanitize or escape user-supplied data that originates from the Referer header, which is automatically included by web browsers when making HTTP requests to a server. This particular vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation flaw that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into the web application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious user crafts a specially crafted Referer header containing malicious JavaScript code that gets processed by the vulnerable formbuilder plugin. When the plugin encounters this header during normal operation, it fails to properly escape or filter the input before displaying it in the web interface or logging it within the application's administrative panels. This creates an environment where attackers can execute scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or sanitization. The attack vector leverages the HTTP Referer header, which is commonly used for tracking user navigation and analytics purposes, making it an attractive target for exploitation since it is automatically included in HTTP requests.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6715 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive administrative functions within the WordPress environment. When exploited, this vulnerability can allow unauthorized users to manipulate the formbuilder plugin's administrative interface, potentially leading to data corruption, unauthorized content modification, or complete compromise of the WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations using the vulnerable formbuilder plugin version 0.9.1 or earlier, regardless of the underlying server configuration or hosting environment. This makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across various deployment scenarios, including shared hosting environments where multiple WordPress sites may be hosted on the same server infrastructure. The attack can be executed through various means including social engineering campaigns, automated scanning tools, or direct exploitation of vulnerable sites, making it a persistent threat that requires immediate remediation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6715 primarily focus on updating the vulnerable plugin to version 0.9.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly sanitize input from the Referer header. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation and output encoding practices throughout their WordPress installations, following the principles of secure coding as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by filtering suspicious Referer headers, though these should not be considered a replacement for proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices and regularly updating all plugins and themes, as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and the ISO/IEC 27001 information security management standards. Organizations should also consider implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous Referer header patterns, as recommended in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's methodology for identifying and mitigating web application vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation issues that may exist within other components of the WordPress ecosystem or related applications.