CVE-2014-4554 in SS Downloads
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in templates/download.php in the SS Downloads plugin before 1.5 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the title parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2018
The CVE-2014-4554 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the SS Downloads plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.5. This vulnerability resides in the templates/download.php file and demonstrates a critical weakness in input validation and output sanitization practices. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts by manipulating the title parameter, which is processed without adequate security measures to prevent code injection attacks. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a direct descendant of the well-known web application security weakness.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's template processing logic. When the title parameter is submitted through user input, the system fails to properly encode or escape special characters before rendering them within the HTML output. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML elements that will execute in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected download listings. The attack vector operates entirely through web-based interactions, requiring no privileged access or local system compromise, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of content, and redirection to malicious sites. Users who view download listings containing malicious payloads would unknowingly execute attacker-controlled code, potentially leading to complete compromise of their browser sessions. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations using the SS Downloads plugin, which could include numerous websites ranging from personal blogs to corporate portals, making the potential attack surface substantial. This weakness undermines the fundamental security principle of input validation and demonstrates how seemingly minor oversights in web application development can create significant security risks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4554 should focus on immediate plugin updates to version 1.5 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for proper input sanitization. Administrators should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side processing, along with output encoding to prevent script injection. The remediation process should include thorough security auditing of all plugin components and implementation of automated vulnerability scanning tools to detect similar issues. Security measures should align with ATT&CK framework tactics related to command and control, credential access, and defense evasion, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to establish persistent access or exfiltrate sensitive data. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and web application firewalls as additional protective measures to defend against similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.