CVE-2014-3903 in Cakifo
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Cakifo theme 1.x before 1.6.2 for WordPress allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via crafted Exif data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2019
The CVE-2014-3903 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Cakifo WordPress theme version 1.x prior to 1.6.2, demonstrating a critical weakness in web application security that affects content management systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the theme's handling of Exif metadata, which is typically embedded within digital images to store technical information about photography equipment, camera settings, and other image-related data. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with sufficient privileges to manipulate image metadata in a way that could compromise user sessions and execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent XSS issue means that malicious code injected through compromised Exif data could be executed whenever affected pages are viewed, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised WordPress installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the Cakifo theme's image processing functions. When WordPress processes images uploaded to a site using the Cakifo theme, it extracts Exif data from image files to display additional information about photographs. The vulnerability occurs because the theme fails to properly escape or filter the Exif data before rendering it in web pages, creating an attack surface where maliciously crafted metadata can contain script tags or other HTML content that executes when the page loads. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates how seemingly innocuous data processing operations can create security weaknesses. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must already have access to a valid user account on the WordPress site, but this access level is often sufficient to cause significant damage since the compromised user may have administrative privileges or access to sensitive content.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3903 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking attacks, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify content within the WordPress administration interface. When authenticated users view pages containing compromised images, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially allowing attackers to access administrative panels, modify posts, or extract sensitive information from the WordPress installation. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites that rely heavily on image galleries or photography-focused content, as these installations are more likely to process and display Exif data. The attack vector is particularly concerning because Exif data is often automatically extracted and displayed without user intervention, making it difficult for site administrators to detect malicious content within image metadata. The vulnerability also demonstrates how third-party themes can introduce security risks into otherwise secure WordPress installations, highlighting the importance of theme security auditing and regular updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3903 should focus on immediate remediation through theme updates to version 1.6.2 or later, which contain proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized uploads of malicious images, particularly in environments where users can contribute content. Input validation measures should be strengthened to ensure that all Exif data is properly escaped before rendering in web pages, following the principles outlined in the OWASP XSS Prevention Cheat Sheet. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution within the WordPress environment, and maintain regular security audits of all installed themes and plugins to identify potential vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the need for proper privilege management within WordPress installations, as limiting user permissions can reduce the potential impact of authenticated attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing automated scanning tools that can detect malicious image metadata and prevent its inclusion in web applications. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the critical role that proper input validation plays in preventing XSS attacks across web applications.