CVE-2013-5714 in Live Streaming Integration plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ls/htmlchat.php in the VideoWhisper Live Streaming Integration plugin 4.25.3 and possibly earlier for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) name or (2) message parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5714 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the VideoWhisper Live Streaming Integration plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting version 4.25.3 and potentially earlier releases. This vulnerability resides in the ls/htmlchat.php component of the plugin, which handles live chat functionality for streaming services. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected websites, creating significant security risks for WordPress users who have installed this particular plugin. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection, as it can potentially compromise user sessions and facilitate more sophisticated attacks against the targeted web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's chat functionality. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating two specific parameters: the name and message fields in the chat interface. When these parameters are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users, malicious JavaScript code embedded within the input can be executed in the browsers of other users who view the chat content. This represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability where the malicious payload is reflected off the web server and delivered to the victim's browser. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can create persistent security weaknesses in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5714 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the targeted WordPress environment. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from authenticated users. The attack surface is particularly concerning because live chat systems typically have broad user interaction, making it easier for attackers to find users with elevated privileges or to mass distribute malicious payloads. This vulnerability can be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns, potentially serving as an initial access vector for more sophisticated multi-stage attacks. The presence of such vulnerabilities in popular WordPress plugins like VideoWhisper demonstrates how third-party components can introduce significant security risks to otherwise well-protected web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from WordPress administrators, including updating to the latest version of the VideoWhisper plugin where the XSS flaws have been addressed. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures and output encoding for all user-supplied content, particularly in interactive components like chat systems. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits of installed WordPress plugins should be conducted to identify potentially vulnerable components, and organizations should maintain up-to-date vulnerability intelligence feeds to stay informed about similar security issues. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper sanitization routines for all user-facing input fields, as specified in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices guidelines and aligned with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate credential access through web application attacks.