CVE-2013-7472 in Count Per Day Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The "Count per Day" plugin before 3.2.6 for WordPress allows XSS via the wp-admin/?page=cpd_metaboxes daytoshow parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2023
The CVE-2013-7472 vulnerability affects the Count per Day WordPress plugin version 3.2.5 and earlier, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the administrative interface of WordPress installations. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user-supplied input in the wp-admin/?page=cpd_metaboxes endpoint, where the daytoshow parameter fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming data before rendering it in the web page context. The issue stems from the plugin's inadequate input validation mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code through the affected parameter, potentially compromising the security of WordPress administrators who interact with the plugin's administrative dashboard.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted JavaScript payload within the daytoshow parameter and delivers it to an authenticated administrator. When the administrator navigates to the affected page, the malicious code executes within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further compromise of the WordPress installation. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which identifies cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web page content without proper sanitization or encoding. The attack vector specifically aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications through injection attacks that manipulate the application's behavior.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7472 extends beyond simple script execution, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to gain persistent access to WordPress administrative interfaces, potentially allowing them to modify content, install malicious plugins, or even establish backdoors within the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations where the Count per Day plugin is active and properly configured, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators regularly access plugin administration pages. Given that the vulnerability exists in the administrative context, it represents a critical threat to the integrity of WordPress sites, as it can be leveraged to bypass standard user access controls and escalate privileges within the application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate plugin updates to version 3.2.6 or later, which contain the necessary input sanitization patches to prevent the XSS attack. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation at multiple layers, including server-side validation of all parameters passed to administrative interfaces. The recommended defense-in-depth approach includes implementing content security policies that restrict script execution within the WordPress admin area, as well as regular security audits of installed plugins to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Network-based intrusion detection systems can also be configured to monitor for known malicious patterns associated with this vulnerability, while regular security training for administrators can help prevent social engineering attacks that might leverage this flaw. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this specific XSS vulnerability in the Count per Day plugin.