CVE-2014-4601 in Wu-Rating
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wu-ratepost.php in the Wu-Rating plugin 1.0 12319 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the v parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The CVE-2014-4601 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Wu-Rating WordPress plugin ecosystem, specifically affecting versions 1.0 12319 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the wu-ratepost.php script which serves as a critical component for handling rating functionalities within the WordPress blogging platform. The flaw manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize or validate user input received through the v parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking to compromise website integrity and user security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Wu-Rating plugin's codebase. When a user submits a rating or interacts with the plugin's functionality, the v parameter becomes part of the request payload and is processed without adequate sanitization measures. This parameter typically expects specific rating values or identifiers but can be manipulated by attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, where the system fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4601 extends beyond simple data corruption, creating significant security risks for WordPress sites utilizing the affected plugin. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of authenticated user sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate website but also poses risks to end users who may encounter malicious payloads when browsing the affected site. Additionally, compromised sites can serve as launching points for more sophisticated attacks within larger network infrastructures, particularly in environments where multiple WordPress installations share common user bases or administrative access points.
Organizations and security practitioners should prioritize immediate mitigation strategies for this vulnerability, including the mandatory upgrade to patched versions of the Wu-Rating plugin or complete removal of the vulnerable component from WordPress installations. The remediation process aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which addresses the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through script injection methods. Administrative teams should also implement comprehensive input validation policies and consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block similar injection attempts. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes remain crucial for maintaining WordPress security posture, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping all components updated. The incident underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and input sanitization protocols to prevent such persistent threats in web application development.