CVE-2014-4567 in Video Comments Webcam Recorder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in comments/videowhisper2/r_logout.php in the Video Comments Webcam Recorder plugin 1.55, as downloaded before 20140116 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the message parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4567 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Video Comments Webcam Recorder WordPress plugin version 1.55. This security weakness resides in the r_logout.php file located within the comments/videowhisper2/ directory of the plugin installation. The vulnerability was present in plugin versions downloaded prior to January 16, 2014, indicating a specific time-bound exposure window that affected users who had not updated to newer versions of the plugin. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the message parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase. When the message parameter is processed without proper encoding or filtering, it allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that can execute in the browser context of unsuspecting users. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates through the plugin's logout functionality, suggesting that even legitimate user sessions could be compromised when users interact with the affected plugin components. The XSS vulnerability creates a persistent threat where malicious scripts can steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress installations using the affected plugin version. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code in the browsers of other users who view pages containing the vulnerable plugin functionality. The impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. Users who have not updated their plugin to a patched version remain exposed to potential exploitation, particularly since the vulnerability affects a core plugin functionality that handles user logout processes. The timing of the vulnerability's discovery and patch availability indicates that it likely remained unpatched for an extended period, potentially allowing multiple exploitation attempts. Organizations using this plugin would experience degraded security posture, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4567 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves updating the Video Comments Webcam Recorder plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability, which would typically include proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Security professionals should implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this specific XSS vector. Input validation measures should be strengthened to ensure all user-provided parameters undergo proper sanitization before processing, with particular emphasis on the message parameter in this context. Additionally, implementing content security policies can provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other instances of similar flaws within their WordPress installations and ensure that all plugins and themes are regularly updated to maintain security hygiene. The remediation process should also include monitoring for any exploitation attempts and implementing proper logging mechanisms to track potential attacks against this vulnerability.