CVE-2014-4581 in WPCB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in facture.php in the WPCB plugin 2.4.8 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the id parameter.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4581 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WPCB plugin version 2.4.8 and earlier for WordPress platforms. This weakness resides in the facture.php script which fails to properly sanitize user input, specifically the id parameter that is processed without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of client-side code injection that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute unauthorized scripts within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the id parameter in the facture.php endpoint to inject malicious JavaScript or HTML code. When the vulnerable plugin processes this parameter without proper sanitization, the injected code becomes part of the web page content and executes in the browser of any user who accesses the affected page. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can establish malicious sessions, steal cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to phishing sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in WordPress environments where users may have varying privilege levels, as it can potentially be leveraged to escalate privileges or compromise entire sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4581 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities through the ATT&CK framework's initial access and persistence tactics. Attackers can use this vulnerability to establish backdoors, harvest user credentials, or deploy additional malware through the compromised WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects not only individual user sessions but can also impact the entire website's integrity, potentially leading to complete site compromise, data exfiltration, and reputational damage. Organizations running affected WordPress installations face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the WPCB plugin to version 2.4.9 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. System administrators should also implement comprehensive input sanitization at multiple layers including web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting plugin permissions and regularly updating all WordPress components. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected plugins and implement monitoring solutions to detect suspicious parameter usage patterns. Security measures should include regular backups, automated patch management systems, and user education regarding the risks of visiting compromised websites or clicking on malicious links.