CVE-2014-4531 in Game tabs
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in main_page.php in the Game tabs plugin 0.4.0 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the n parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2018
The CVE-2014-4531 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Game tabs plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions 0.4.0 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the main_page.php file and exposes WordPress installations to remote code execution risks through malicious web script injection. The flaw occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the 'n' parameter, creating an avenue for attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or escaping mechanisms, making it one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the lack of input sanitization in the plugin's parameter handling. When a user visits a page that utilizes the Game tabs plugin and the 'n' parameter contains malicious code, the script executes within the context of the victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat where attackers can perform actions such as stealing cookies, session tokens, or redirecting users to malicious sites. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including crafted URLs, malicious comments, or even social engineering techniques that trick users into clicking infected links. The impact is particularly severe because WordPress plugins often have elevated privileges and can access sensitive user data, making this vulnerability a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise entire WordPress installations.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risk for WordPress site administrators and users who rely on the Game tabs plugin for their websites. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking, deface websites, or redirect users to phishing sites that harvest login credentials. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers spearphishing attacks that can be facilitated through web-based exploitation. Additionally, the flaw can be combined with other techniques such as T1059 for command and control communication, making it a versatile tool in the hands of sophisticated attackers. The persistence of the vulnerability across multiple versions indicates that the plugin developers failed to implement proper input validation mechanisms, creating a widespread exposure across numerous WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4531 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the original vulnerable versions 0.4.0 and earlier lack proper input sanitization. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures that enforce strict parameter filtering and output encoding for all user-supplied data. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed on affected pages. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes that may not have been properly sanitized. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while web application firewalls can be deployed to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application components. Organizations should also establish a robust patch management process that ensures timely updates of all WordPress plugins and themes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.