CVE-2014-125092 in MaxButtons Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2023
A vulnerability was found in MaxButtons Plugin up to 1.26.0 and classified as problematic. This issue affects the function maxbuttons_strip_px of the file includes/maxbuttons-button.php. The manipulation of the argument button_id leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be initiated remotely. Upgrading to version 1.26.1 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is e74564c9e3b7429808e317f4916bd1c26ef0b806. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-222323.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-125092 represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability within the MaxButtons WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions up to 1.26.0. This security flaw resides in the maxbuttons_strip_px function located within the includes/maxbuttons-button.php file, demonstrating a classic input validation and output encoding weakness that has significant implications for WordPress site security. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser through manipulation of the button_id argument, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to full account takeovers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input within the button_id parameter, which is processed by the maxbuttons_strip_px function without proper validation or encoding mechanisms. This creates an environment where malicious payloads can be injected and executed when the vulnerable function processes the manipulated input, effectively bypassing standard security controls that would normally prevent such attacks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a cross-site scripting flaw, specifically demonstrating the dangerous combination of unsanitized input handling and improper output encoding that characterizes many web application security weaknesses. The attack vector being remote means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system or local network presence.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive user information, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within WordPress installations. The affected MaxButtons plugin serves as a legitimate WordPress component that many users rely upon for creating interactive buttons, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it affects sites that may not have robust security monitoring in place. The fact that this vulnerability was discovered and documented in VDB-222323 indicates it was likely exploited in the wild before the patch was released, highlighting the importance of prompt patch management and vulnerability remediation. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation at multiple layers within web applications, particularly when dealing with user-generated content that gets processed and rendered in browser contexts.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 1.26.1 of the MaxButtons plugin, which contains the patch e74564c9e3b7429808e317f4916bd1c26ef0b806. This upgrade addresses the core issue by implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the vulnerable function, ensuring that user-supplied button_id parameters are properly validated before being processed. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin version across their WordPress installations, while also implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 as a credential access technique, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to user accounts and administrative privileges within WordPress environments. Additionally, this vulnerability exemplifies the broader category of T1213 in ATT&CK, representing the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for persistent access and data exfiltration, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches that include both endpoint protection and web application firewalls.