CVE-2014-1232 in Foliopress WYSIWYG
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Foliopress WYSIWYG plugin before 2.6.8.5 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2018
The CVE-2014-1232 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Foliopress WYSIWYG plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 2.6.8.5. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The issue specifically impacts WordPress users who utilize this particular plugin, creating a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized actions. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution vector means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or direct user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output sanitization within the Foliopress plugin's codebase. Attackers can leverage unspecified vectors to inject malicious scripts or HTML content into the plugin's processing mechanisms, which then get executed when other users view affected pages. This flaw typically occurs when user-supplied data is not properly escaped or filtered before being rendered in web pages, allowing attackers to inject JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. The specific nature of the unspecified vectors suggests that multiple injection points within the plugin's functionality could be exploited, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for WordPress administrators and end users who rely on the Foliopress WYSIWYG plugin for content management. When exploited, the vulnerability can lead to complete compromise of user sessions, allowing attackers to perform actions on behalf of legitimate users. This includes accessing sensitive content, modifying website data, and potentially escalating privileges within the WordPress environment. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to execute, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by threat actors with varying skill levels. The vulnerability also poses risks to website integrity and user trust, as compromised sites may be used to distribute malware or conduct phishing attacks against visitors. Organizations using vulnerable versions of this plugin face potential regulatory compliance issues and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1232 primarily focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 2.6.8.5 or later, which contain the necessary security patches. Administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their WordPress installations to identify all instances of the affected plugin and ensure timely updates across all environments. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms can provide defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1211 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1566 - Phishing, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of attacks that can leverage such XSS flaws. Network monitoring and web application firewalls can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while user education regarding suspicious website behavior remains crucial. Regular security audits and maintaining updated security tooling are essential practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future plugin versions.