CVE-2014-4598 in wp-tmkm-amazon
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wp-tmkm-amazon-search.php in the wp-tmkm-amazon plugin 1.5b and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the AID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The CVE-2014-4598 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the wp-tmkm-amazon WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions 1.5b and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the wp-tmkm-amazon-search.php file and demonstrates a critical weakness in input validation and output sanitization practices. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser by manipulating the AID parameter, which serves as an entry point for injecting arbitrary web scripts or HTML content.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the plugin's search functionality. When the AID parameter is processed without proper sanitization, malicious payloads can be executed in the browser context of unsuspecting users who visit affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the trust relationship between the WordPress platform and its plugins, allowing attackers to bypass standard security measures that protect against client-side attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4598 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft a malicious URL containing XSS payloads that, when clicked by a victim, would execute in their browser context and potentially steal cookies or session tokens. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations that utilize the vulnerable plugin, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the platform, as a single compromised page could affect numerous users. Additionally, the vulnerability could be exploited in conjunction with other attacks to establish persistent access or to deliver more sophisticated malware.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the wp-tmkm-amazon plugin to version 1.5c or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. System administrators should also implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including proper escaping of output data and validation of all user-supplied parameters. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access or privilege escalation, and T1059, which involves the execution of malicious code through scripting languages. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potentially vulnerable plugins and ensure that all third-party components are kept up to date with the latest security patches.