CVE-2014-4556 in Swipe Checkout for eShop
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in test-plugin.php in the Swipe Checkout for eShop plugin 3.7.0 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the api_url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2018
The CVE-2014-4556 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Swipe Checkout for eShop WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions 3.7.0 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the test-plugin.php file and demonstrates a classic input validation failure that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected websites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates through the api_url parameter, which serves as an entry point for remote attackers to inject malicious payloads into the plugin's functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input from the api_url parameter. This lack of input validation creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be directly embedded into the plugin's output without appropriate encoding or filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests as a reflected XSS attack, where malicious scripts are injected into web pages viewed by other users, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling further attack vectors. The flaw directly aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and output encoding in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4556 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate user experiences and potentially steal sensitive information. When exploited, the vulnerability could allow attackers to execute malicious code within the browser context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized modifications to website content. The attack surface is particularly dangerous in WordPress environments where administrators and users may interact with the vulnerable plugin, as the malicious scripts could execute with elevated privileges. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious web content, and demonstrates how seemingly benign plugin functionality can become a vector for sophisticated attacks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version of the Swipe Checkout for eShop plugin, which would address the input validation shortcomings in test-plugin.php. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities and establish comprehensive input validation policies that enforce proper sanitization of all user-supplied parameters. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date plugins and themes, as well as implementing robust security practices such as the principle of least privilege and regular security audits. Furthermore, developers should adopt secure coding practices including input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter handling to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future implementations.