CVE-2014-4723 in Easy Banners
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Easy Banners plugin 1.4 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the name parameter to wp-admin/options-general.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2019
The CVE-2014-4723 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Easy Banners WordPress plugin version 1.4, exposing websites to persistent security risks through improper input validation. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's administrative interface where user input is not adequately sanitized before being rendered back to users. The flaw exists in the handling of the name parameter within the wp-admin/options-general.php endpoint, making it possible for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated admin sessions. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject malicious code into web applications, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling further exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code and submits it through the vulnerable name parameter field. When the administrative interface processes this input without proper sanitization, the malicious code gets stored and subsequently executed whenever the affected page is loaded by an administrator. This creates a persistent threat where attackers can establish backdoors, steal session cookies, modify website content, or perform unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation failure where the plugin fails to implement proper output encoding or input filtering mechanisms that would prevent script execution in contexts where user-provided data is rendered.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4723 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling complete compromise of WordPress installations through session hijacking and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain administrative control over affected websites, leading to data breaches, defacement, or the installation of additional malware. The risk is particularly severe because the vulnerability affects the plugin's administrative settings page, meaning that any authenticated administrator who visits the affected page could be compromised. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which involves executing malicious code through web shells or script injection attacks, and represents a common vector for initial access and persistence in web application attacks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of defense including plugin updates, input validation enforcement, and web application firewall rules. The most effective mitigation involves updating to a patched version of the Easy Banners plugin where input sanitization has been properly implemented. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent script execution, regular monitoring of administrative interfaces for suspicious activity, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security scanning of their WordPress installations to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web applications, emphasizing the need for security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such issues from reaching production environments.