CVE-2014-4526 in efence
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in callback.php in the efence plugin 1.3.2 and earlier for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) message, (2) zoneid, (3) pubKey, or (4) privKey parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4526 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the efence plugin for WordPress systems. This flaw affects versions 1.3.2 and earlier, creating a significant security risk for WordPress websites that utilize this specific plugin. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the callback.php script, which processes user-supplied parameters without proper security measures. The affected parameters include message, zoneid, pubKey, and privKey, all of which can be manipulated by remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into the targeted website's pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. This classification indicates that the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content, creating an environment where malicious scripts can execute within the context of legitimate user sessions. The vulnerability operates by accepting unfiltered parameters through the callback.php endpoint, which then processes these inputs without adequate security controls. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, execute in the browsers of unsuspecting website visitors.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4526 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attacks that can compromise user sessions and steal sensitive information. When successful, attackers can execute malicious JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser, allowing for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the efence plugin, which is designed to provide security monitoring and alerting services, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the very security features the plugin is meant to deliver. This creates a scenario where attackers can compromise not only the website's integrity but also potentially gain access to administrative functions or sensitive data that users might inadvertently expose through their browser sessions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from WordPress administrators, including updating the efence plugin to a version that addresses the XSS flaws. The recommended approach involves upgrading to a patched version that implements proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as content security policies to limit the impact of potential XSS attacks, and regular security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007, which covers Scripting through Web Shell, highlighting the importance of preventing malicious script execution in web applications. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation and input sanitization techniques, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten project, would significantly reduce the risk of exploitation and provide defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities.