CVE-2014-9174 in Google Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Google Analytics by Yoast (google-analytics-for-wordpress) plugin before 5.1.3 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the "Manually enter your UA code" (manual_ua_code_field) field in the General Settings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2018
The vulnerability CVE-2014-9174 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Google Analytics by Yoast WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 5.1.3. This security weakness resides within the plugin's administrative interface where users can manually input their Universal Analytics tracking codes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it within the web page context. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious JavaScript code or HTML content through the manual_ua_code_field parameter, which is then executed in the browsers of unsuspecting administrators or users who visit the affected WordPress admin pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the plugin's configuration interface where the manual_ua_code_field parameter is processed without proper sanitization. When administrators or users with sufficient privileges navigate to the General Settings page of the plugin, the malicious code becomes part of the rendered HTML content. This creates a persistent XSS vector that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can craft malicious tracking codes that, when entered by administrators, establish persistent backdoors or exfiltrate sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to WordPress administrative functions. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious code through the manual_ua_code_field, they can potentially steal session cookies, modify plugin settings, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user WordPress environments where administrators may unknowingly enter malicious tracking codes, creating a chain reaction that compromises the entire WordPress installation. Additionally, the persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code continues to execute every time the affected page is loaded, making it a long-term threat to the security posture of the WordPress site.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9174 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 5.1.3 or later, which contain proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Administrators should also implement strict input validation policies for all user-supplied data within WordPress plugins and themes, ensuring that all fields accepting external input undergo proper sanitization before being rendered in HTML contexts. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded, thereby limiting the impact of successful XSS attacks. Regular security auditing of WordPress plugins and themes, combined with monitoring for suspicious activity in the administrative interfaces, can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns targeting known XSS vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights how seemingly innocuous administrative fields can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented.