CVE-2014-4588 in Hot Files:File Sharing
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in tpls/editmedia.php in the Hot Files: File Sharing and Download Manager (wphotfiles) plugin 1.0.0 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the mediaid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4588 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Hot Files: File Sharing and Download Manager plugin for WordPress systems. This weakness exists in the tpls/editmedia.php file and affects versions 1.0.0 and earlier of the wphotfiles plugin, creating a significant security risk for WordPress websites that utilize this particular plugin. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted web script or HTML content injection.
The technical flaw manifests through the mediaid parameter in the editmedia.php script, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within the web page context. This parameter serves as the primary attack vector where remote adversaries can inject malicious code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through Spearphishing Attachment. When exploited, the vulnerability permits attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in victims' browsers, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can compromise the entire WordPress installation's security posture. Attackers leveraging this flaw can establish persistent access through session manipulation, potentially escalating privileges or gaining administrative control over affected websites. The vulnerability affects all users who interact with the plugin's media editing functionality, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the file sharing system. Additionally, the XSS payload can be designed to steal cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting or browser exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4588 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input validation issues, with administrators verifying the plugin's integrity and ensuring proper sanitization of all user inputs. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while regular security audits of WordPress plugins should include thorough input validation checks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values, and conduct regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugin components. System administrators must ensure that all WordPress installations maintain current plugin versions and regularly review security advisories from WordPress.org and other trusted sources to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.