CVE-2014-8955 in Clean And Simple Contact Form
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Contact Form Clean and Simple (clean-and-simple-contact-form-by-meg-nicholas) plugin 4.4.0 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the cscf[name] parameter to contact-us/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8955 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Contact Form Clean and Simple WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions 4.4.0 and earlier. This issue resides in the plugin's handling of user input through the cscf[name] parameter when processing contact form submissions. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The flaw occurs because the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages, creating an opening for malicious input to be interpreted as executable code rather than mere text.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the plugin's codebase. When users submit contact forms through the affected plugin, the cscf[name] parameter containing user-entered data is directly processed and displayed without adequate sanitization measures. This creates a persistent cross-site scripting vector where attackers can embed malicious JavaScript code within the name field, which then executes whenever the form data is rendered on the page. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically manifesting as a reflected cross-site scripting attack pattern where malicious input is reflected back to users without proper escaping.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. A successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal administrator credentials, modify website content, install backdoors, or redirect users to malicious sites. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that WordPress plugins represent a common target for attackers due to their widespread use and often inadequate security practices. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but potentially entire WordPress installations, as the malicious scripts could be executed in the context of any user who views the affected contact form data, including administrators with elevated privileges. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators might inadvertently view maliciously crafted form submissions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaw, as the vendor likely released patches to properly sanitize the cscf[name] parameter. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that reject or sanitize potentially malicious content before processing user submissions. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed on the website. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization practices. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious patterns in form submissions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the ATT&CK framework's application layer attacks, which emphasize the critical need for proper input validation and output encoding to prevent injection vulnerabilities.