CVE-2014-4545 in Pro Quoter
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in pq_dialog.php in the Pro Quoter plugin 1.0 and earlier for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) leftorright or (2) author parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2018
The CVE-2014-4545 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Pro Quoter plugin version 1.0 and earlier for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects the pq_dialog.php script which serves as a core component for handling quote dialog functionality within the plugin. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating two distinct parameters named leftorright and author, both of which are processed without proper security controls, creating a pathway for malicious code injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector where user input flows directly into the application's output without appropriate encoding or validation. When the plugin processes these parameters in pq_dialog.php, it fails to sanitize the data, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the plugin does not implement proper output encoding or input validation techniques that would prevent malicious payloads from being executed. The vulnerability affects the entire WordPress ecosystem where the Pro Quoter plugin is installed, potentially compromising all users who interact with the affected functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4545 extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. Attackers could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability affects both the leftorright and author parameters, meaning that any user interaction with quote dialog functionality could serve as an attack surface. This represents a significant risk to WordPress installations since the Pro Quoter plugin was widely used, and the vulnerability could be exploited to compromise entire websites or user accounts. The attack requires no special privileges beyond basic access to the WordPress site, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have administrative capabilities.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks that can include malicious code injection through web applications. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the Pro Quoter plugin or implement proper input validation measures to prevent exploitation. The recommended mitigations include implementing proper parameter sanitization, applying output encoding, and conducting thorough security reviews of all user-supplied inputs. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes that may be present in their WordPress environments.