CVE-2014-4593 in WP Plugin Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wp-plugins-net/index.php in the WP Plugin Manager (wppm) plugin 1.6.4.b and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the filter parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2018
The CVE-2014-4593 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WP Plugin Manager plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 1.6.4.b and earlier, making it a significant security concern for WordPress administrators who have not updated their plugin installations. The issue arises from improper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's index.php file, which fails to sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the filter parameter in the wp-plugins-net/index.php file, where remote attackers can inject malicious scripts or HTML code. When the plugin processes this parameter without adequate sanitization, it allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe security consequences. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially steal user sessions, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4593 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress ecosystem. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to establish persistent access to compromised sites, manipulate plugin functionality, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects a widely used plugin, meaning that many WordPress installations could be vulnerable simultaneously. This creates a significant risk for website owners who may not be aware of the specific vulnerability or may have delayed updating their plugins.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaw, along with comprehensive input validation implementation. Administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution, as attackers can use XSS to establish malicious command execution capabilities. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security audits and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other plugins or custom code. The remediation process requires not only updating the affected plugin but also ensuring that all WordPress installations maintain current security patches and that proper security configurations are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.