CVE-2014-10385 in memphis-documents-library Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The memphis-documents-library plugin before 3.0 for WordPress has XSS via $_REQUEST.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-10385 affects the memphis-documents-library plugin version prior to 3.0 within the WordPress content management system. This represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper input validation and sanitization within the plugin's handling of HTTP request parameters. The specific flaw occurs when the plugin processes data through the $_REQUEST superglobal variable, which aggregates data from GET, POST, and COOKIE inputs, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a weakness in input validation where user-supplied data is not properly escaped or filtered before being rendered in web responses. The attack vector leverages the fact that the plugin fails to adequately sanitize or escape user-provided parameters that are directly incorporated into HTML output without proper security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious domains. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows unauthorized parties to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising their sessions and credentials. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in a WordPress environment where plugins often handle sensitive administrative functions and user data. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used plugin means that numerous WordPress installations could be compromised simultaneously, creating a significant risk for website administrators and their visitors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code injection technique under T1566, where adversaries leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code in user browsers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-10385 require immediate action to upgrade the memphis-documents-library plugin to version 3.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms throughout their WordPress installations, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues across all installed plugins and themes. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping all WordPress components updated and following secure coding practices that prevent the injection of untrusted data into web applications.