CVE-2014-2315 in Thank You Counter Button
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Thank You Counter Button plugin 1.8.7 for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) thanks_caption, (2) thanks_caption_style, or (3) thanks_style parameter to wp-admin/options.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The CVE-2014-2315 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Thank You Counter Button plugin version 1.8.7 for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability exposes WordPress installations to remote code execution risks through malicious script injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The flaw specifically affects the plugin's handling of user-supplied input parameters within the WordPress admin interface, creating a persistent security weakness that could be exploited by attackers without requiring authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's administrative settings processing. Attackers can exploit three distinct parameter injection points including thanks_caption, thanks_caption_style, and thanks_style parameters that are processed through the wp-admin/options.php endpoint. These parameters are directly incorporated into HTML output without proper sanitization, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This represents a classic reflected XSS vulnerability pattern where user input flows directly into web output without adequate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects all users who have administrative access to the plugin settings, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where multiple administrators might interact with the affected parameters. When exploited, the XSS payload could redirect users to malicious domains, capture cookies, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, fundamentally compromising the security model of the WordPress installation.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for code injection and privilege escalation, where adversaries leverage web application vulnerabilities to establish persistent access. Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization issues, implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious parameter values in administrative interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party plugins before deployment in production environments.