CVE-2013-7276 in Recommend to a friend
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in inc/raf_form.php in the Recommend to a friend plugin 2.0.2 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the current_url parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The CVE-2013-7276 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Recommend to a friend plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting version 2.0.2. This vulnerability exists in the inc/raf_form.php file where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The flaw manifests when the current_url parameter is processed without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the plugin's output. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web application's input validation and output encoding processes, making it particularly dangerous in the context of content management systems where user interactions are common.
This XSS vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and well-documented web application security flaws. The attack vector leverages the fact that the plugin fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before incorporating it into HTML output. When a victim visits a page that triggers the vulnerable code path with malicious input in the current_url parameter, the injected script executes in the victim's browser context within the same origin as the vulnerable WordPress site. This allows attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious sites, all while maintaining the appearance of legitimate site functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7276 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the context of a compromised WordPress installation. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through session hijacking, execute malicious commands in the victim's browser, or even perform phishing attacks by redirecting users to fraudulent sites that appear legitimate. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a plugin that likely handles user interactions and form submissions, making it accessible through normal website navigation patterns. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it a significant threat to WordPress site integrity and user security, especially when considering that many WordPress installations may have users with administrative privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7276 should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable plugin to version 2.0.3 or later, which would contain the necessary input sanitization and output escaping fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation that filters and escapes all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for parameters like current_url that are directly incorporated into HTML output. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that only necessary user inputs are accepted and that all output is properly encoded for the context in which it appears. Security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to add an additional layer of protection against script execution. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving client-side code injection and session management attacks, making it a critical target for both defensive measures and monitoring systems that detect anomalous user behavior or unexpected script execution patterns.