CVE-2014-6315 in Photo Gallery plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Web-Dorado Photo Gallery plugin 1.1.30 and earlier for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) callback, (2) dir, or (3) extensions parameter in an addImages action to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2024
The CVE-2014-6315 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the Web-Dorado Photo Gallery plugin for WordPress versions 1.1.30 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user-supplied input in the admin-ajax.php endpoint, which serves as a crucial interface for WordPress administrative functions. The flaw specifically manifests when the plugin processes parameters during the addImages action, creating an attack surface that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of affected websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase. Attackers can exploit three distinct parameter vectors including callback, dir, and extensions parameters that are processed without proper sanitization mechanisms. These parameters are directly incorporated into the plugin's response without adequate encoding or filtering, allowing malicious payloads to be executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who visit affected pages. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be leveraged by remote attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access to the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-6315 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and redirection to malicious sites. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to inject JavaScript code that executes in the context of legitimate user sessions, potentially leading to full compromise of user accounts and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it targets the WordPress admin interface, which often contains privileged users with elevated access rights to website content and configurations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or encoding. The specific attack pattern corresponds to the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes the use of malicious web content to establish initial access through phishing or drive-by compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization that has been repeatedly identified as a primary cause of web application security failures. Organizations utilizing vulnerable versions of the Web-Dorado Photo Gallery plugin face significant risk of being exploited for credential theft, defacement, or as part of larger attack campaigns targeting WordPress installations.
The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate upgrade to the latest version of the Web-Dorado Photo Gallery plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, along with implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious activity in the admin-ajax.php endpoint. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes remain essential for maintaining WordPress security posture, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping all components updated to address known security issues.