CVE-2013-0237 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Plupload.as in Moxiecode plupload before 1.5.5, as used in WordPress before 3.5.1 and other products, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2021
The CVE-2013-0237 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Plupload component of Moxiecode's file upload library, affecting versions prior to 1.5.5. This vulnerability specifically resides in the Plupload.as ActionScript file and has significant implications for web applications that rely on this library for file upload functionality. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and data exfiltration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the id parameter in the Plupload component. When a web application processes user input through this parameter without proper sanitization or validation, malicious actors can inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that gets executed in the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because Plupload was widely adopted across various platforms including WordPress versions before 3.5.1, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise web applications at scale.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0237 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal user credentials, or redirect users to malicious sites. In WordPress environments, this vulnerability could allow attackers to upload malicious files through the media upload interface, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple products demonstrates the widespread adoption of the affected library and underscores the importance of proper input validation in file upload components. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Plupload library to version 1.5.5 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side components, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being processed or rendered. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and dependency updates, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defense-in-depth strategies for preventing and mitigating web-based attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) that can detect and block malicious input patterns associated with XSS exploitation attempts.