CVE-2014-4579 in Wp Appointments Schedules
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in js/test.php in the Appointments Scheduler plugin 1.5 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the lang parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2018
The CVE-2014-4579 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Appointments Scheduler plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions 1.5 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the js/test.php file and demonstrates a classic input validation weakness that has been consistently categorized under CWE-79 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content through the lang parameter, exploiting the plugin's insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input data. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe as it affects the core functionality of WordPress plugins, which are integral to website security and user experience.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the lang parameter in the js/test.php endpoint to inject malicious code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This type of attack falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for "Phishing with Malicious Attachments" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" within the MITRE ATT&CK framework. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices where user-provided language parameters are directly incorporated into JavaScript execution contexts without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. This weakness creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further compromise of the WordPress installation.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4579 extends beyond simple script injection, as it represents a fundamental security flaw in plugin architecture that could enable attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code on vulnerable websites, potentially allowing attackers to modify website content, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Given that WordPress plugins often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data, this XSS vulnerability could serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple WordPress installations highlights the critical need for proper input validation and the importance of keeping plugins updated to address known security issues.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4579 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as well as implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Security professionals should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting the lang parameter, while also implementing content security policies to limit script execution. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the principle of least privilege in plugin development. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include checks for similar input validation flaws in WordPress plugins, with particular attention to how user-supplied parameters are handled in JavaScript contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely updates of WordPress core and plugin components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current security patches.