CVE-2013-7279 in S3 Video
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in views/video-management/preview_video.php in the S3 Video plugin before 0.983 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the base parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The CVE-2013-7279 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the S3 Video plugin for WordPress, specifically within the preview_video.php file. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 0.983 and exposes WordPress installations to remote code execution risks through malicious script injection. The flaw occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the base parameter, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the plugin's video preview functionality, which is commonly used for displaying embedded video content from Amazon S3 storage services.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns for XSS attacks and aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical weakness in web applications. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script tags or HTML payload within the base parameter, which gets rendered without proper sanitization in the preview_video.php script. This allows for session hijacking, credential theft, and the potential for more sophisticated attacks including phishing attempts or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trusted relationship between the WordPress admin interface and the S3 Video plugin, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious content. The attack vector operates through standard HTTP GET requests, making it easily exploitable via social engineering techniques or by embedding malicious links in compromised websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7279 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can compromise the entire WordPress administrative interface and user sessions. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate video previews, potentially redirecting users to malicious domains or injecting malware delivery mechanisms. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites using the S3 Video plugin for content management, where administrators frequently access the video preview functionality. The risk is amplified in environments where multiple users have access to the WordPress dashboard, as successful exploitation can lead to complete administrative compromise. Organizations using vulnerable versions face potential data breaches, reputational damage, and compliance violations, especially in regulated environments where user data protection is mandatory.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7279 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 0.983 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Security administrators should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting the base parameter. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution from unauthorized sources. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of WordPress plugins, particularly those handling external content or user-provided data. According to ATT&CK framework T1566, this vulnerability maps to the "Phishing" technique, where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to deliver malicious payloads. Regular patch management procedures and security monitoring should be implemented to detect exploitation attempts, while user education regarding suspicious links and website behavior can help prevent successful social engineering attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly input sanitization and output encoding, as recommended by OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.