CVE-2014-4514 in Alipay
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in includes/api_tenpay/inc.tenpay_notify.php in the Alipay plugin 3.6.0 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to the getDebugInfo function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2022
The CVE-2014-4514 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Alipay plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions 3.6.0 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the includes/api_tenpay/inc.tenpay_notify.php file and demonstrates a classic input validation weakness that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of affected users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it targets a widely used payment plugin that processes sensitive transaction data, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to exploit user trust and access valuable information.
The technical flaw manifests through the getDebugInfo function which fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into web responses. This function likely processes debug information from payment notifications received from the Tenpay payment gateway, but does not adequately validate or escape the data before rendering it within the plugin's output. The vulnerability follows CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') which is the standard classification for XSS vulnerabilities where user-controllable data enters a web page without proper sanitization. Attackers can craft malicious input containing script tags or other HTML content that gets executed when legitimate users view the affected page, creating a persistent threat vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When users access pages containing the vulnerable debug information, their browsers execute the injected malicious code, potentially allowing attackers to steal cookies, modify page content, redirect users to malicious sites, or even gain full control over user sessions. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it provides the initial entry point for executing malicious payloads within the context of legitimate users. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because the vulnerability occurs during payment processing, when users are likely to be in a trusted state, making social engineering attacks more effective.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4514 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most effective defense against the known flaw. Administrators should also implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin code, ensuring that all data received from external payment gateways is sanitized before being rendered in web pages. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution and preventing unauthorized code injection. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins, particularly payment-related ones, should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and administrators should maintain updated security practices including regular plugin updates, proper access controls, and monitoring for suspicious activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in payment processing systems where user data security is paramount.