CVE-2013-7480 in events-manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The events-manager plugin before 5.3.6.1 for WordPress has XSS via the booking form and admin areas.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2024
The CVE-2013-7480 vulnerability affects the events-manager plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 5.3.6.1, exposing users to cross-site scripting attacks through both booking forms and administrative interfaces. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress sites utilizing the events-manager plugin for event management and booking functionalities. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the system through user-submitted data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user inputs from booking forms and administrative areas are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users or stored in the database. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads through the booking form fields, which are then executed in the context of other users' browsers when the administrative interface displays these entries. This creates a persistent cross-site scripting vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates the classic pattern of insufficient input validation leading to code execution in web contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7480 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it enables attackers to compromise the entire WordPress administrative environment. When administrators or legitimate users view the affected booking entries in the admin area, the malicious scripts execute automatically, potentially leading to unauthorized modifications of events, deletion of bookings, or complete takeover of the WordPress installation. This vulnerability particularly affects event management websites that rely heavily on user-generated content through booking forms, making them prime targets for exploitation. The attack surface is significantly broadened due to the inclusion of both frontend booking forms and backend administrative interfaces in the scope of the vulnerability.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to events-manager plugin version 5.3.6.1 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious input patterns, while conducting thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing event management workflows. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in booking submissions and administrative access logs, as these could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party components in WordPress environments and demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can result in significant security breaches.