CVE-2014-4589 in WP Silverlight Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in uploader.php in the WP Silverlight Media Player (wp-media-player) plugin 0.8 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the post_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2018
The CVE-2014-4589 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WP Silverlight Media Player plugin for WordPress, affecting versions 0.8 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the uploader.php script which processes media uploads and handles user input through the post_id parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code directly into the plugin's processing pipeline, creating a persistent security risk for WordPress installations that utilize this vulnerable component.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications. The flaw occurs because the plugin fails to properly sanitize or validate the post_id parameter before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. When a malicious user submits a crafted post_id value containing script tags or HTML elements, the plugin processes this unvalidated input without adequate filtering mechanisms, allowing the injected code to execute within the context of other users' browsers who view affected pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft a malicious post_id parameter that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, would redirect users to phishing sites, steal cookies from authenticated sessions, or even inject malware delivery mechanisms. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations using the vulnerable plugin version, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited across multiple websites without requiring specific user interaction beyond visiting a compromised page.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding practices in web application security, particularly within content management systems where plugins often handle user-supplied data. The attack vector through the post_id parameter suggests that the vulnerability could be exploited through various means including direct manipulation of URL parameters, form submissions, or even through compromised user accounts that could upload malicious content. The fact that this affected a media player plugin highlights how seemingly innocuous components can become attack vectors when proper security measures are not implemented.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the WP Silverlight Media Player plugin or implement alternative media handling solutions to mitigate this risk. Security measures should include input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all dynamic content, and regular security auditing of installed plugins. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious parameter values that could indicate attempted XSS attacks. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping all WordPress components updated and following security best practices for plugin management and input validation.