CVE-2014-4575 in Wikipop
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in js/window.php in the Wikipop plugin 2.0 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the s parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2019
The CVE-2014-4575 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Wikipop plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions 2.0 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the js/window.php file and demonstrates how web application security can be compromised through improper input validation. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a user's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a widely used content management system where plugins often have elevated privileges and access to user data. The s parameter serves as the attack vector, making it a straightforward target for exploitation that requires minimal technical sophistication. This issue falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application vulnerabilities identified by the CWE project.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user input within the Wikipop plugin's JavaScript window handler. When the s parameter is passed to js/window.php without proper validation or encoding, malicious payloads can be injected directly into the page's DOM structure. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script tags or other HTML elements that get executed when the page loads, potentially stealing cookies, session tokens, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the client-side execution level, meaning that any user who visits a page containing the malicious payload will be affected. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks that leverage web-based exploits to compromise user systems. The lack of input validation in the plugin's parameter handling represents a fundamental security flaw that violates basic web application security principles.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4575 extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions. When compromised, the Wikipop plugin can serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or access sensitive user information. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations where the plugin is active, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators may not be aware of all installed plugins or their security status. Organizations running vulnerable WordPress installations face potential data breaches, session hijacking, and reputational damage. The impact is amplified because the Wikipop plugin is designed to display content from external sources, making it a natural target for attackers seeking to inject malicious code. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of plugin security auditing, as third-party components often introduce risks that may not be immediately apparent to system administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4575 involve both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution is upgrading to a patched version of the Wikipop plugin, which would include proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also implement content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and establish regular security audits of installed plugins. Input validation should be implemented at multiple levels, including server-side parameter checking and client-side sanitization routines. The vulnerability highlights the importance of the principle of least privilege in web application security, where plugins should not have unnecessary access to user data or execution capabilities. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious script execution patterns and regular vulnerability scanning of web applications. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting known XSS vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software versions and the critical role of security patches in preventing exploitation of known vulnerabilities.