CVE-2014-4564 in Validated plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in check.php in the Validated plugin 1.0.2 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the slug parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2018
The CVE-2014-4564 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Validated WordPress plugin version 1.0.2 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the check.php script and specifically targets the slug parameter, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected websites. The Validated plugin, designed to validate user input and form submissions, inadvertently introduced a security weakness that could be exploited by threat actors without requiring authentication or privileged access. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's core functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing specially formatted input in the slug parameter and convinces a victim to visit the crafted link. The check.php script fails to properly sanitize or escape the slug parameter before processing or displaying it, allowing attacker-controlled content to be executed in the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into web page content. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that WordPress plugins often operate with elevated privileges and can access sensitive user data, making the exploitation potentially more dangerous than typical XSS vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4564 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and access to sensitive information. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations running the vulnerable plugin version, which could be present on numerous websites, making it a significant threat vector. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, this vulnerability enables adversaries to leverage JavaScript execution capabilities for further exploitation. The widespread adoption of WordPress and the prevalence of plugins like Validated make this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could affect thousands of websites simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4564 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 1.0.3 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly when handling user-supplied data. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security headers such as X-Content-Type-Options and X-Frame-Options should also be configured to enhance overall security posture. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments of WordPress plugins are essential to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited. Additionally, implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAF) rules specific to XSS patterns can provide an additional layer of defense against such attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security principles, specifically addressing the need for robust data validation and escaping mechanisms in web applications.