CVE-2014-4846 in Metaslider
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Meta Slider (ml-slider) plugin 2.5 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the id parameter to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2017
The CVE-2014-4846 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Meta Slider plugin version 2.5 for WordPress environments. This vulnerability specifically affects the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint where the id parameter is processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content directly into the WordPress administrative interface, creating a significant security risk for affected systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper parameter handling within the Meta Slider plugin's administrative functionality. When the id parameter is passed to the wp-admin/admin.php script, the plugin fails to properly sanitize or validate this input before rendering it within the web page context. This lack of input validation creates an XSS attack vector where malicious actors can craft specially formatted id parameter values that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of authenticated administrator sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the potential to escalate privileges and compromise entire WordPress installations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute malicious scripts in the browser of any user who views the affected administrative pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the WordPress administrative interface, which typically contains users with elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers Command and Scripting Interpreter - JavaScript, as the exploitation involves injecting JavaScript code that executes within the browser context. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the critical importance of implementing proper sanitization measures for all user-controllable parameters in web applications.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the Meta Slider plugin to version 2.6 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement input validation measures at the web application firewall level, employ content security policies to restrict script execution, and conduct regular security audits of installed WordPress plugins. Additionally, maintaining updated security monitoring systems and implementing proper access controls can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access for WordPress administrative accounts and regularly review plugin permissions to minimize potential attack surface.