CVE-2013-2704 in Dropdown Menu Widget
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the Dropdown Menu Widget plugin 1.9.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users for requests that insert cross-site scripting (XSS) sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2017
The CVE-2013-2704 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the Dropdown Menu Widget plugin version 1.9.1 for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of CSRF and XSS attack vectors, creating a particularly dangerous security condition that enables attackers to exploit user sessions and inject malicious scripts. The vulnerability specifically affects WordPress installations where the Dropdown Menu Widget plugin is active, making it a widespread concern for WordPress users and administrators.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate validation of user requests within the plugin's processing mechanisms. When users interact with the dropdown menu widget functionality, the plugin fails to properly verify the authenticity of incoming requests through proper CSRF token validation. This absence of robust authentication checks creates an opening for malicious actors to craft forged requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress system. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when combined with the XSS capabilities, as attackers can manipulate the widget's functionality to insert malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2704 extends beyond simple session hijacking to encompass full exploitation of user privileges within the WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code through XSS injection, potentially leading to complete compromise of user accounts and access to sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability particularly affects users who maintain elevated privileges within WordPress installations, as the injected XSS scripts can be leveraged to perform actions such as creating new administrator accounts, modifying content, or exfiltrating data. The attack surface is broad since the plugin is commonly used across various WordPress installations, making the vulnerability attractive to automated exploitation tools.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery conditions in web applications. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering tactics involving credential access through forged requests. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF validation gaps, deployment of web application firewalls with CSRF protection capabilities, and implementation of Content Security Policies to limit the impact of potential XSS injections. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling unnecessary plugin functionalities and regularly auditing WordPress installations for outdated or vulnerable components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.