CVE-2012-6718 in sharebar Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The sharebar plugin before 1.2.2 for WordPress has XSS, a different issue than CVE-2013-3491.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2023
The sharebar plugin for WordPress represents a significant security vulnerability that existed in versions prior to 1.2.2, specifically addressing cross-site scripting flaws that could be exploited by malicious actors. This vulnerability falls under the category of web application security weaknesses that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The sharebar plugin, designed to facilitate social media sharing functionality on WordPress sites, contained implementation flaws that failed to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within the web interface. The vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2013-3491, indicating that while both relate to XSS issues, they affect different code paths or implementation patterns within the WordPress ecosystem.
The technical flaw within the sharebar plugin stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms. When users interacted with the plugin's interface or when shared content was processed, the plugin failed to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into HTML output. This omission creates an environment where malicious actors can craft specially formatted input that, when processed by the plugin, executes unintended JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability typically manifests when the plugin processes parameters such as social media URLs, custom sharing buttons, or user-generated content that is meant to be displayed on the website. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code within users' browsers. This capability enables sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and the potential for privilege escalation if the affected WordPress site has administrative users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the plugin's core functionality of sharing content, meaning that any user who interacts with the plugin's interface or views pages where the plugin is active could become a victim. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs or content that, when shared through the plugin, would execute malicious scripts in the browsers of other users who view those shared items.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to upgrade to the patched version 1.2.2 or later, as this represents the most straightforward and effective solution. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all WordPress plugins remain current with security updates. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and output encoding practices, which align with ATT&CK technique T1555.003 for credential access and T1059.001 for command and script injection. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security audits of installed plugins, and ensuring proper input sanitization throughout the application stack. Administrators should also consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and monitor for suspicious plugin activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.