CVE-2014-9400 in Wp Unique Article Header Image
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in the Wp Unique Article Header Image plugin 1.0 and earlier for WordPress allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via the (1) gt_default_header or (2) gt_homepage_header parameter in the wp-unique-header.php page to wp-admin/options-general.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The CVE-2014-9400 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw affecting the Wp Unique Article Header Image plugin version 1.0 and earlier within the WordPress ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user authentication tokens and request validation mechanisms, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit administrative privileges. The flaw exists in the wp-unique-header.php file and extends to the wp-admin/options-general.php endpoint, demonstrating how poorly implemented security controls in WordPress plugins can create widespread exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability's classification as a CSRF issue stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate that requests originate from authenticated administrators, allowing malicious actors to craft requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress admin interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the plugin's inadequate protection against unauthorized parameter manipulation. Attackers can exploit the gt_default_header and gt_homepage_header parameters to inject malicious payloads through the wp-unique-header.php page, which then redirects to the WordPress admin settings page. This creates a scenario where authenticated administrators can be tricked into executing unintended actions without their knowledge, particularly when they visit compromised websites or click on malicious links. The vulnerability essentially bypasses the standard WordPress CSRF protection mechanisms by not implementing proper nonce validation for the affected parameters, making it possible for attackers to forge requests that appear to come from legitimate administrative sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential cross-site scripting exploitation capabilities. When administrators interact with compromised pages, the malicious requests can inject scripts into the WordPress admin environment, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core authentication flow of WordPress, meaning that successful exploitation could result in unauthorized configuration changes, data manipulation, or even complete administrative control over affected WordPress installations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious page, making it highly effective for widespread exploitation. This vulnerability demonstrates how plugin developers must implement robust security controls, including proper input validation, CSRF token verification, and session management, to prevent such attacks from succeeding.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement several mitigation strategies to protect their WordPress installations. The most critical action is to upgrade to a patched version of the Wp Unique Article Header plugin, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls, proper input sanitization, and enhanced monitoring of administrative activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in web application security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1548.001 for abuse of privileges, as it allows attackers to leverage legitimate administrative sessions for malicious activities. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes, along with maintaining updated security practices, are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.