CVE-2014-4555 in Style It
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in fonts/font-form.php in the Style It plugin 1.0 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the mode parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2018
The CVE-2014-4555 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Style It WordPress plugin version 1.0 and earlier, specifically affecting the fonts/font-form.php component. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a significant security risk for WordPress installations. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of user-supplied input through the mode parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the mode parameter within the font-form.php script, which is part of the plugin's font configuration interface. When the plugin processes this parameter without proper input validation, it allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that gets rendered in the browser of authenticated users. This creates a persistent vector for malicious activity, as the injected code executes in the context of the victim's session with the WordPress admin interface. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's font management functionality, where users can configure various font styles and settings through a web-based form interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4555 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, or redirect users to malicious websites. Given that the Style It plugin was designed for WordPress, which often serves as the foundation for business-critical websites, the exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to complete compromise of affected installations. The vulnerability affects the entire WordPress ecosystem where the plugin is installed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to target multiple users simultaneously. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaw, as well as implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify all instances of the vulnerable plugin and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The remediation process involves upgrading to a patched version of the Style It plugin, implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns, and establishing regular security monitoring procedures. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing content security policies that limit the execution of inline scripts and enforce proper sanitization of all user inputs to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter execution through XSS attacks.