CVE-2013-2287 in Uploader
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in views/notify.php in the Uploader plugin 1.0.4 for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) notify or (2) blog parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The CVE-2013-2287 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Uploader plugin version 1.0.4 for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability resides within the views/notify.php file and demonstrates a classic input validation failure that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected websites. The flaw specifically affects two parameter fields: notify and blog, which are processed without proper sanitization or output encoding, creating an exploitable vector for attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The vulnerability's classification as CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) places it squarely within the category of web application security flaws that compromise user sessions and enable various attack vectors including session hijacking and data theft.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or HTML elements and submits them through either the notify or blog parameters of the vulnerable endpoint. Upon successful exploitation, the malicious code executes in the browser of any user who views the affected page, potentially leading to unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices where user-supplied data flows directly into the application's output without appropriate validation or sanitization measures. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1531 (Account Access Removal) as it enables attackers to establish persistent access through session manipulation and credential theft.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2287 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within compromised WordPress environments. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can lead to complete compromise of user accounts, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructures. The affected Uploader plugin's widespread use in WordPress installations means that numerous websites could be vulnerable to this attack vector, particularly those running outdated plugin versions. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the fact that it affects the notification system of the plugin, making it difficult for administrators to detect malicious activity and increasing the potential attack surface for various malicious payloads including keyloggers, browser exploits, and command-and-control communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2287 require immediate action including the upgrade of the vulnerable Uploader plugin to a patched version that implements proper input validation and output encoding. System administrators should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that validate all user-supplied data against established character sets and reject any input containing potentially malicious patterns. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers provides an additional layer of defense by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded, effectively preventing the execution of injected malicious code even if the vulnerability remains unpatched. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious parameter patterns and anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other WordPress plugins and themes, ensuring that the entire application ecosystem remains protected against similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the risks of clicking suspicious links and the importance of maintaining updated software versions across all web applications.