CVE-2013-10024 in Exit Strategy Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/08/2023
A vulnerability has been found in Exit Strategy Plugin 1.55 and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file exitpage.php. The manipulation leads to information disclosure. The attack can be launched remotely. Upgrading to version 1.59 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is d964b8e961b2634158719f3328f16eda16ce93ac. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-225265 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-10024 affects the Exit Strategy Plugin version 1.55, representing a critical information disclosure flaw within the WordPress ecosystem. This vulnerability resides in the exitpage.php file, which serves as a core component for managing exit redirection functionality on websites. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data, creating an avenue for unauthorized information exposure. The vulnerability's classification as remotely exploitable means that attackers can leverage this flaw without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing environments where the plugin is actively deployed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of parameters within the exitpage.php file, which allows malicious actors to extract sensitive information from the affected WordPress installation. This information disclosure could potentially include administrative credentials, database connection details, or other system-level data that would otherwise remain protected. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure vulnerabilities, where insufficient protection mechanisms allow unauthorized access to sensitive data. The remote attack vector suggests that the vulnerability exists in the plugin's handling of HTTP requests and parameter processing within the WordPress framework, where input validation occurs too late in the processing chain or not at all.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage, as it can provide attackers with sufficient information to launch more sophisticated attacks against the compromised WordPress installation. Once an attacker gains access to sensitive information through this disclosure, they can potentially escalate privileges, conduct further reconnaissance, or use the stolen data for credential stuffing attacks against other systems. The vulnerability affects WordPress websites that utilize the Exit Strategy Plugin, creating a significant risk for businesses and organizations that rely on WordPress for their web presence. The fact that this vulnerability was assigned the identifier VDB-225265 indicates it was recognized and catalogued by vulnerability databases, highlighting its significance within the cybersecurity community.
The recommended remediation approach involves upgrading the affected plugin to version 1.59, which incorporates the patch identified by the commit hash d964b8e961b2634158719f3328f16eda16ce93ac. This upgrade addresses the root cause of the information disclosure by implementing proper input validation and output sanitization measures within the exitpage.php file. The patch likely includes enhanced parameter handling, improved data filtering mechanisms, and strengthened security controls that prevent malicious input from being processed or displayed inappropriately. Organizations should prioritize this upgrade as part of their regular security maintenance procedures, particularly given the remote exploitability and potential for privilege escalation that this vulnerability presents. The remediation process should also include verification that the upgrade was successful and that no other instances of the vulnerable plugin exist within the WordPress environment, as per standard security best practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion and credential access tactics.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of regular plugin updates and security monitoring within WordPress installations. Many organizations fail to maintain current versions of their plugins, creating persistent attack surfaces that attackers can exploit for extended periods. This vulnerability exemplifies the common pattern where third-party components introduce security risks that can compromise entire web applications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security assessments and vulnerability management programs. The security community's recognition of this issue through the VDB-225265 identifier demonstrates the ongoing challenge of maintaining secure WordPress environments and the critical importance of staying current with security patches. Organizations should implement automated monitoring systems to detect vulnerable components and establish protocols for rapid response to newly discovered vulnerabilities, ensuring that security measures remain effective against evolving threats.