CVE-2014-4516 in BIC Media Widget
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in bicm-carousel-preview.php in the BIC Media Widget plugin 1.0 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the param parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2018
The CVE-2014-4516 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the BIC Media Widget WordPress plugin ecosystem. This security weakness exists in the bicm-carousel-preview.php component of version 1.0 and earlier releases, creating a dangerous pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of affected websites. The vulnerability specifically targets the param parameter, which serves as an entry point for attacker-controlled input that bypasses proper sanitization mechanisms. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content that gets executed when other users view the affected page, fundamentally compromising the security posture of WordPress installations using this vulnerable plugin.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase. When the param parameter is processed without proper filtering or encoding, it allows malicious payloads to be stored or directly executed within the browser context of legitimate users. This represents a Type 1 Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability as defined by CWE-79, where the application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the WordPress plugin architecture and its handling of user-supplied parameters in the carousel preview functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4516 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate the carousel preview functionality, injecting malicious JavaScript that can steal cookies, redirect users to phishing pages, or even execute more complex attacks such as defacement of the website content. The vulnerability affects any WordPress installation running the vulnerable plugin version, creating a widespread risk across numerous websites that rely on this media widget functionality. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content and T1059.007 for execution through script-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including plugin version updates to the latest secure release, which should include proper input sanitization and parameter validation. System administrators should implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting the param parameter, while also conducting thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the principle of least privilege in web application security. Organizations should also implement regular security monitoring and vulnerability assessment procedures to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in their WordPress environments, ensuring that all third-party components undergo proper security review before deployment.