CVE-2014-4541 in OMFG Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in shortcode-generator/preview-shortcode-external.php in the OMFG Mobile Pro plugin 1.1.26 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the shortcode parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2018
The CVE-2014-4541 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the OMFG Mobile Pro WordPress plugin version 1.1.26 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the shortcode-generator/preview-shortcode-external.php file, which serves as a component for generating and previewing shortcodes within the mobile plugin framework. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads through the shortcode parameter, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected page. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's preview functionality, where external shortcodes are processed and displayed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to execute arbitrary JavaScript code or inject malicious HTML content.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability follows the standard attack patterns described in CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw occurring when untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding. The flaw exists because the plugin fails to implement proper sanitization routines for the shortcode parameter, allowing malicious input to bypass security controls designed to prevent code injection. When a user visits a page containing the vulnerable shortcode preview functionality, their browser executes the injected script in the context of the authenticated session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the WordPress installation. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a mobile plugin, which may be used by administrators or content creators who have elevated privileges within the WordPress environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress sites utilizing the OMFG Mobile Pro plugin, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code against unsuspecting users who interact with compromised content. The attack surface extends beyond simple script execution to include potential privilege escalation if the targeted users have administrative access to the WordPress installation. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often serve as initial access points for more sophisticated attacks, with attackers using the XSS payload to establish persistent access or to harvest session cookies and credentials. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local access to the system and can exploit it from anywhere on the internet. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for phishing, as it enables the delivery of malicious payloads through web-based attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4541 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the original plugin developers have likely released patches to resolve the sanitization issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though they should not be relied upon as the sole protection mechanism. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin across their WordPress installations and ensure that proper security hardening practices are implemented. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing proper security controls around user input processing, particularly in plugins that handle external data or provide preview functionality. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other WordPress plugins and themes that may not have been properly sanitized.