CVE-2014-4586 in wp-football
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the wp-football plugin 1.1 and earlier for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the league parameter to (1) football_classification.php, (2) football_criteria.php, (3) templates/template_default_preview.php, or (4) templates/template_worldCup_preview.php; the (5) f parameter to football-functions.php; the id parameter in an "action" action to (6) football_groups_list.php, (7) football_matches_list.php, (8) football_matches_phase.php, or (9) football_phases_list.php; or the (10) id_league parameter in a delete action to football_matches_load.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2019
The CVE-2014-4586 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the wp-football WordPress plugin version 1.1 and earlier, exposing websites to remote code execution risks through malicious script injection. This vulnerability affects multiple file endpoints within the plugin's architecture, creating numerous attack vectors that adversaries can exploit to compromise user sessions and inject malicious content. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-supplied parameters, particularly those related to league classifications, match listings, and administrative functions. These vulnerabilities align with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications, and represent a classic example of insecure data handling that violates fundamental web security principles. The attack surface spans across multiple plugin components including classification displays, criteria management, template previews, and various match-related functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate specific HTTP parameters passed to the affected PHP scripts. The league parameter in football_classification.php and football_criteria.php, along with the f parameter in football-functions.php, serve as primary injection points for malicious scripts. Additionally, the id parameter within action-based operations in football_groups_list.php, football_matches_list.php, football_matches_phase.php, and football_phases_list.php creates secondary attack vectors. The id_league parameter in football_matches_load.php's delete action provides yet another pathway for exploitation. These parameters are processed without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that enable attackers to bypass standard security measures designed to prevent malicious code execution in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4586 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious sites. When exploited, these vulnerabilities can compromise the integrity of WordPress installations that rely on the wp-football plugin, particularly affecting sports websites and blogs that display football-related content. The attack vectors are particularly dangerous because they target administrative functions, meaning authenticated users could be exploited to perform unauthorized actions within the plugin's interface. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious content injection, and T1059, which addresses execution through scripting. The widespread use of WordPress plugins makes this vulnerability particularly impactful, as it affects not just individual sites but potentially thousands of websites running vulnerable versions of the wp-football plugin.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4586 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and output encoding. Organizations should upgrade to the latest version of the wp-football plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, as version 1.2 and later contain proper sanitization measures for user inputs. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including the application code, database, and network level. Security headers such as X-Content-Type-Options and X-Frame-Options should be configured to prevent content sniffing and clickjacking attacks. Regular security audits and penetration testing of WordPress installations are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes. Additionally, implementing Web Application Firewalls and monitoring for suspicious parameter patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and following secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks through proper parameter validation and sanitization.