CVE-2013-5711 in Design Approval System plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/walkthrough/walkthrough.php in the Design Approval System plugin before 3.7 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the step parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The CVE-2013-5711 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Design Approval System plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.7. This vulnerability resides in the admin/walkthrough/walkthrough.php file and demonstrates a classic input validation weakness that enables remote code execution through web script injection. The flaw manifests when the step parameter is improperly handled, allowing attackers to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The technical implementation issue stems from insufficient output encoding and input sanitization within the plugin's administrative walkthrough functionality. When administrators or users navigate to the walkthrough section, the step parameter is directly incorporated into the page output without proper HTML escaping or context-appropriate encoding mechanisms. This creates an exploitable vector where malicious actors can craft URLs containing script tags that execute in the browser context of legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the WordPress administrative environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute persistent malicious scripts that monitor user interactions, steal authentication tokens, or redirect users to malicious domains. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in WordPress environments where administrators have elevated privileges, as successful exploitation could result in full system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this without requiring physical access or local network presence.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is significant within WordPress ecosystems where the Design Approval System plugin is installed, particularly affecting sites with multiple administrators or users who may inadvertently click malicious links. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application attack vector under the technique of code injection, specifically targeting the web application layer. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to version 3.7 or later, which contain proper input validation and output encoding fixes. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies, regular security audits of installed plugins, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activity. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other custom or third-party applications.