CVE-2014-8758 in Best Gallery Albums Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Best Gallery Albums Plugin before 3.0.70for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the order_id parameter in the gallery_album_sorting page to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2019
The CVE-2014-8758 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Best Gallery Albums WordPress plugin, affecting versions prior to 3.0.70. This vulnerability resides within the administrative interface of the plugin, specifically in the gallery_album_sorting page located at wp-admin/admin.php. The flaw manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize or validate the order_id parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated administrator sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the order_id parameter, which is typically used for sorting gallery albums within the WordPress administration dashboard. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the order_id parameter and persuades an authenticated administrator to visit the affected page, the malicious payload executes in the administrator's browser. This creates a persistent XSS vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or further privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability is classified as a reflective XSS issue under CWE-79, which specifically addresses the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to fully compromise WordPress administrator accounts. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious code through the vulnerable parameter, they can potentially access sensitive administrative functions, modify content, install malicious plugins, or exfiltrate data from the compromised WordPress installation. The attack requires minimal privileges since it targets the administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous for sites where the plugin is installed and configured with administrative access. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patch released in version 3.0.70 of the Best Gallery Albums plugin, which properly sanitizes the order_id parameter to prevent XSS exploitation. Additional mitigation strategies include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, monitoring for suspicious administrative activities, and conducting regular security audits of installed WordPress plugins. Administrators should also consider restricting administrative access to specific IP addresses and implementing multi-factor authentication to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where elevated privileges can lead to complete system compromise.