CVE-2013-5988 in All in One SEO Pack Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
A Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the All in One SEO Pack plugin before 2.0.3.1 for WordPress via the Search parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2025
The CVE-2013-5988 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the All in One SEO Pack WordPress plugin, a widely deployed SEO solution that has been installed on millions of websites worldwide. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 2.0.3.1 and exploits a weakness in how the plugin handles input parameters, particularly the Search parameter, which creates an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into web applications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser session. The All in One SEO Pack plugin serves as one of the most popular SEO tools for WordPress installations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could potentially compromise a vast number of websites simultaneously.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload and injects it through the Search parameter of the plugin's functionality. When the vulnerable plugin processes this input without proper sanitization, the malicious script gets executed within the browser of any user who views the affected page or interacts with the compromised search functionality. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for the initial access phase of cyber attacks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the All in One SEO Pack plugin typically has elevated privileges within WordPress environments, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges or access sensitive administrative functions through the executed malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5988 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of websites, and redirection to malicious domains. Given that the plugin is designed to modify and enhance website SEO functionality, attackers could potentially manipulate search engine results, inject malicious advertisements, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability's persistence in the WordPress ecosystem means that websites using affected versions remain at risk until the plugin is properly updated, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit the flaw across numerous sites. This vulnerability also demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications, as the lack of proper sanitization of user-supplied data creates a direct pathway for malicious code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5988 primarily involve immediate plugin updates to version 2.0.3.1 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all dynamic content, and regular security audits of installed plugins and themes. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining current security practices including regular plugin updates, adherence to security best practices for web development, and implementation of proper input sanitization techniques that align with OWASP secure coding guidelines. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify and remediate similar issues across their web infrastructure.