CVE-2013-1464 in Audio Player
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in ssets/player.swf in the Audio Player plugin before 2.0.4.6 for Wordpress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the playerID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2025
The CVE-2013-1464 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Audio Player plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.0.4.6. This vulnerability resides within the ssets/player.swf Flash component and exposes WordPress installations to remote code execution risks through malicious script injection. The flaw manifests when the playerID parameter is improperly handled during the processing of audio player embed codes, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML content within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic XSS attack pattern where malicious input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in the web application's output. The playerID parameter serves as the primary injection vector, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that get executed when the vulnerable Flash player component processes user-supplied data. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1464 extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, deface websites, redirect users to malicious domains, or even execute more sophisticated attacks through browser-based exploitation techniques. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the audio player functionality and potentially gain unauthorized access to user sessions or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites that utilize the Audio Player plugin for embedding audio content, making it a significant concern for content management systems that rely heavily on third-party media plugins.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the Audio Player plugin to version 2.0.4.6 or later, which incorporates proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms for the playerID parameter. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including application-level filtering, content security policies to prevent script execution, and regular security audits of third-party plugins. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through web shells, emphasizing the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding to prevent malicious code execution. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in playerID parameter usage and implement web application firewalls to filter suspicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application components.