CVE-2014-4539 in Movies Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Movies plugin 0.6 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the filename parameter to getid3/demos/demo.mimeonly.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2024
The CVE-2014-4539 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Movies plugin version 0.6 and earlier for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects the getid3/demos/demo.mimeonly.php component within the plugin's architecture, creating a dangerous attack vector that enables remote adversaries to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process the filename parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that can persist and execute when other users view the affected content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user-supplied data through the filename parameter in the demo.mimeonly.php script. When a user submits a filename value, the application does not adequately sanitize or escape this input before rendering it in the web response. This omission creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable code rather than mere text, enabling the execution of arbitrary scripts within the browser context of authenticated users. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize or incorrectly sanitize user supplied input, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security architecture. The attack chain typically involves an attacker crafting a malicious filename parameter containing script tags or other HTML/JavaScript code, which gets executed when the vulnerable page processes and displays the input without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4539 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables sophisticated attack scenarios that can compromise entire user sessions and potentially lead to privilege escalation. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject persistent malware that targets the WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects all users who have the vulnerable Movies plugin installed, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the platform. Given that WordPress powers over 40% of websites globally, the potential attack surface for this vulnerability is extensive. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which involves the exploitation of web applications through input validation flaws, and T1059.007 which covers the execution of scripts through web-based interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4539 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and output encoding practices. System administrators should prioritize upgrading the Movies plugin to version 0.7 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched through enhanced input sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation that filters out potentially malicious characters and employing output encoding techniques can prevent the execution of injected scripts. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious parameter values before they reach the vulnerable application layer. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security auditing of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist within the broader plugin ecosystem, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security practices in third-party WordPress components. Regular security assessments and keeping all WordPress core files and plugins updated form essential defensive measures against such persistent threats.