CVE-2013-5098 in Download Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/admin.php in the Download Monitor plugin before 3.3.6.2 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the sort parameter, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-3262.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2022
The CVE-2013-5098 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Download Monitor WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.3.6.2. This vulnerability resides in the admin/admin.php file and creates a significant security risk for WordPress administrators who rely on this plugin for managing downloadable content. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of the victim's browser, potentially compromising the entire administrative interface and user sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the admin panel rather than the frontend, making it more dangerous as it can directly impact the site's management capabilities and potentially lead to complete compromise of the WordPress installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the sort parameter handling mechanism. When administrators navigate to the download monitor admin interface and manipulate the sort parameter, the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the web page context. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that gets executed when the page loads, effectively bypassing standard security controls. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected XSS issue where malicious input is immediately reflected back to the user without proper encoding or validation, making it particularly effective for session hijacking and privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the WordPress administrative environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify or delete download files, alter plugin settings, create new administrator accounts, or even install malicious plugins to maintain persistent access. The vulnerability's location within the admin interface means that any authenticated administrator who visits the affected page could be compromised, potentially leading to complete site takeover. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators have access to the same WordPress installation, as the attack surface expands significantly.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for code injection and privilege escalation, with potential for lateral movement within compromised WordPress environments. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of the Download Monitor plugin to version 3.3.6.2 or later, as this represents the most effective mitigation strategy. Additionally, implementing proper input validation measures, such as using WordPress's built-in sanitization functions and implementing Content Security Policy headers, can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Network monitoring should also be enhanced to detect suspicious parameter manipulation attempts, and regular security audits should verify that no malicious code has been injected into the system through this vulnerability.