CVE-2013-6342 in Tweet-blender
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Tweet Blender plugin before 4.0.2 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the tb_tab_index parameter to wp-admin/options-general.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The CVE-2013-6342 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Tweet Blender WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.0.2. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's administrative interface where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The flaw manifests when the tb_tab_index parameter is manipulated through the wp-admin/options-general.php endpoint, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the plugin's configuration interface. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent XSS issue means that the malicious payload can be executed whenever any user with appropriate privileges accesses the affected administrative page, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation through session hijacking or privilege escalation attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the standard XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the tb_tab_index parameter. When an administrator navigates to the plugin settings page with this crafted parameter, the malicious code executes within the context of the administrator's browser session. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trusted administrative interface of WordPress, bypassing many standard security measures that protect against external injection attempts.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-6342 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete compromise of the WordPress installation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can steal administrator cookies, execute arbitrary commands, modify plugin configurations, or even redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the fact that the malicious code is stored within the plugin's configuration parameters and executed every time the affected page is loaded. This makes it particularly dangerous for high-privilege users and can result in data breaches, unauthorized content modification, or the installation of backdoors. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the WordPress system, potentially leading to complete service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-6342 require immediate action to upgrade the Tweet Blender plugin to version 4.0.2 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. Security headers including Content Security Policy should be implemented to prevent unauthorized script execution, while regular security audits of WordPress plugins should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious parameter manipulation attempts, and administrators should be trained to recognize potential XSS attack vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege, where plugin configurations should be restricted to only necessary permissions. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.