CVE-2013-4117 in Category-grid-view-gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in includes/CatGridPost.php in the Category Grid View Gallery plugin 2.3.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the ID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2025
The CVE-2013-4117 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Category Grid View Gallery plugin version 2.3.1 for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability exists in the includes/CatGridPost.php file and specifically targets the ID parameter handling mechanism. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected WordPress installations, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking to manipulate or compromise WordPress environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input passed through the ID parameter in the CatGridPost.php file. This parameter is directly incorporated into the plugin's output without adequate filtering or encoding, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the browsers of unsuspecting users. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where web applications fail to properly validate or encode user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated content. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate plugin functionality to deliver malicious scripts, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4117 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious domains. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can lead to complete compromise of WordPress installations, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the affected sites host sensitive user information. The risk is amplified in environments where administrators have not implemented proper security measures such as web application firewalls or input validation controls. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when visited by users with administrative privileges, could result in unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions or data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4117 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the original vulnerable version 2.3.1 represents an outdated release. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that properly encode all user-supplied data before processing or displaying it within web interfaces. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Security practitioners should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious parameter values targeting known XSS patterns. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1566 for credential access through social engineering, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include checks for outdated plugins, as this vulnerability demonstrates how legacy software components can remain exploitable for years after initial discovery.