CVE-2014-4606 in zeenshare
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in redirect_to_zeenshare.php in the ZeenShare plugin 1.0.1 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the zs_sid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The CVE-2014-4606 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the ZeenShare WordPress plugin version 1.0.1 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the redirect_to_zeenshare.php script which processes user input through the zs_sid parameter without proper sanitization or validation. The issue stems from inadequate input handling mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter malicious content submitted by remote attackers, creating a persistent security risk for WordPress installations utilizing this plugin.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted JavaScript code within the zs_sid parameter. When a victim visits this malicious link and the ZeenShare plugin processes the request, the unfiltered input gets executed in the victim's browser context. This creates a persistent XSS attack vector that can be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting and follows the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, demonstrating how attackers can leverage web application flaws to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains including credential theft, session hijacking, and data exfiltration. Attackers can craft payloads that persistently compromise user sessions, potentially leading to complete account takeovers and unauthorized administrative access. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations where the ZeenShare plugin is active, making it particularly dangerous in environments with multiple users or administrative privileges. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4606 require immediate action including updating to the latest version of the ZeenShare plugin where the vulnerability has been patched. Administrators should also implement input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other parts of their WordPress installations. The recommended approach includes filtering all user-supplied input through proper sanitization functions and implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other plugins or themes. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and following secure coding practices that prevent injection flaws in web applications.