CVE-2013-3487 in Bulletproof-security
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the security log in the BulletProof Security plugin before .49 for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified HTML header fields to (1) 400.php, (2) 403.php, or (3) 403.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The CVE-2013-3487 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the BulletProof Security plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to .49. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's security log functionality and exposes WordPress installations to remote code execution risks through malicious script injection. The flaw manifests in three distinct files within the plugin's codebase: 400.php, 403.php, and 403.php, which handle different types of HTTP error responses. These files fail to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input originating from HTML header fields, creating persistent XSS attack vectors that can be exploited by remote adversaries without authentication. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise WordPress sites through client-side exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when attackers manipulate HTTP header fields that are subsequently logged and displayed within the security log interface. The BulletProof Security plugin's failure to implement proper input sanitization means that malicious scripts embedded in these headers can be executed in the context of authenticated users' browsers. This creates a dangerous scenario where attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code that persists in the security log display, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that security log files often contain sensitive information about site activity, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or gather intelligence about the target environment. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application vulnerability exploitation technique under the T1190 category, which involves leveraging weaknesses in web applications to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3487 extends beyond simple script injection, as it fundamentally undermines the security integrity of WordPress installations using the affected plugin. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session fixation, redirect users to malicious domains, or inject malicious code that can compromise the entire WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects both administrators and regular users who view the security logs, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where different permission levels exist. Security professionals must understand that this vulnerability represents a significant risk to site availability and data integrity, as it can be exploited to create backdoors or exfiltrate sensitive information from the WordPress installation. The flaw also demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web applications, particularly in security-focused plugins where data sanitization becomes paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3487 require immediate action including upgrading to the patched version of the BulletProof Security plugin, specifically version .49 or later, which addresses the input sanitization issues in the affected PHP files. System administrators should implement additional security measures such as input validation at multiple layers, including web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security audits of WordPress plugins. The vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive security testing practices that include both static code analysis and dynamic application security testing to identify similar input validation flaws in other plugins and themes. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely updates of WordPress core, themes, and plugins. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious header values in web server logs, and network traffic analysis should be employed to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even security-focused plugins can contain critical flaws, emphasizing the importance of continuous security assessment and the principle of least privilege in WordPress environments.