CVE-2014-4595 in WP RESTful
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the WP RESTful plugin 0.1 and earlier for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) oauth_callback parameter to html_api_authorize.php or the (2) oauth_token_temp or (3) oauth_callback_temp parameter to html_api_login.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The CVE-2014-4595 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the WP RESTful plugin version 0.1 and earlier in the WordPress ecosystem. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of OAuth authentication parameters, specifically targeting the authorization and login endpoints. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects core authentication flows within WordPress, which serves as the foundation for millions of websites worldwide.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the plugin's OAuth parameter processing. When the oauth_callback parameter is passed to html_api_authorize.php, or when oauth_token_temp and oauth_callback_temp parameters are processed by html_api_login.php, the plugin fails to properly sanitize these inputs before incorporating them into the response HTML. This inadequate sanitization creates an XSS vector where attacker-controlled data can be injected directly into web pages served to users. The vulnerability manifests as CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'), specifically categorized under CWE-79-1, where user-controllable data flows into HTML output without proper escaping or encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains targeting WordPress administrators and users. An attacker could craft malicious callback URLs containing JavaScript payloads that would execute when users navigate to the authorization page, potentially stealing session cookies or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. Given that the vulnerability affects the plugin's authentication flows, it could facilitate privilege escalation attacks where attackers gain elevated access to WordPress administrative functions. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1531 for Account Access Removal, as it provides a pathway for malicious code execution and potential account compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4595 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions containing proper input validation and output encoding. Organizations must ensure their WordPress installations maintain current plugin versions and implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter handling in web applications, emphasizing the need for input validation frameworks and output encoding practices. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, conducting regular security audits of third-party plugins, and establishing automated patch management processes. Additionally, organizations should consider network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious parameter injection attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user inputs and properly encoding output in web applications, particularly in authentication and authorization flows where the consequences of exploitation can be severe.