CVE-2014-4591 in Wp Picasa Image
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in picasa_upload.php in the WP-Picasa-Image plugin 1.0 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 • 03/07/2018
The CVE-2014-4591 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the WP-Picasa-Image plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions 1.0 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the picasa_upload.php file and demonstrates a critical weakness in input validation and output encoding practices. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser by manipulating the post_id parameter, creating a persistent security risk that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input within the WordPress plugin ecosystem. When the post_id parameter is processed without proper validation or encoding, malicious payloads can be injected into the application's response. This occurs because the plugin fails to implement proper input filtering mechanisms that would normally prevent HTML and script tags from being executed in the browser context. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages served to users.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4591 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive cookies, or redirect users to malicious domains. Given that WordPress is widely deployed across various organizations and personal websites, this vulnerability could be exploited at scale, particularly on sites that lack proper security monitoring or patch management processes. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, especially if the targeted WordPress installations have users with administrative privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected WP-Picasa-Image plugin to version 1.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect unusual patterns in plugin usage and ensure all WordPress components remain updated. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting plugin installation permissions and regularly auditing installed plugins for security vulnerabilities. This case exemplifies the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity for regular security assessments as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's web application security domain, particularly focusing on the execution of malicious code through input manipulation techniques.