CVE-2013-7482 in reflex-gallery Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The reflex-gallery plugin before 1.4.3 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The CVE-2013-7482 vulnerability affects the reflex-gallery plugin version 1.4.2 and earlier for WordPress, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser. This vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's handling of user input within the gallery management interface, where insufficient sanitization of data allows malicious actors to inject harmful scripts that can be executed when other users view the affected gallery pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping within the reflex-gallery plugin's codebase. When administrators or users interact with the gallery management features, the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. This creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious payloads containing javascript code that gets executed in the browser context of legitimate users who visit gallery pages. The vulnerability typically occurs when users input specially crafted strings into gallery titles, descriptions, or other editable fields that are subsequently rendered without proper HTML escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, or even privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to administrator accounts, modify gallery content, or use the compromised site as a platform for further attacks against visitors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting an affected gallery page, making it a vector for automated attacks.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for code injection, specifically under the T1059.007 sub-technique for JavaScript. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to reflex-gallery plugin version 1.4.3 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Additionally, administrators should review and implement proper output escaping mechanisms, conduct regular security audits of installed plugins, and consider implementing content security policies to limit the impact of potential XSS attacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output sanitization in web applications, particularly within content management systems where user-generated content is prevalent.