CVE-2014-9453 in Simple visitor stat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in simple-visitor-stat.php in the Simple visitor stat plugin for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) HTTP User-Agent or (2) HTTP Referer header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9453 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Simple visitor stat WordPress plugin, specifically affecting the simple-visitor-stat.php script. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into web page responses. The vulnerability manifests when the plugin processes HTTP headers, particularly the User-Agent and Referer fields, which are commonly used by web servers and applications to track visitor information and navigation paths. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests containing script code within these headers, thereby enabling unauthorized execution of malicious code in the context of affected websites.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP headers that the plugin does not adequately sanitize. When a user visits a website running the vulnerable plugin, the server processes the HTTP User-Agent or Referer header and stores this information for statistical purposes. However, the plugin fails to properly escape or validate these headers before displaying them in web pages, creating an XSS attack vector. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-79, which represents Cross-Site Scripting, and specifically falls under the category of reflected XSS when the malicious script is injected through headers and executed immediately upon page rendering. The attack can be executed without requiring authentication or privileged access, making it particularly dangerous for website administrators and visitors alike.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9453 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web content, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could potentially steal user sessions by injecting JavaScript code that captures cookies or login credentials, or could redirect victims to phishing sites designed to harvest sensitive information. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations using the Simple visitor stat plugin, making it a widespread concern for website owners who may not be actively monitoring their plugin security. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves the exploitation of web applications to perform malicious activities through various attack vectors including XSS.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected website administrators, including updating to the latest version of the Simple visitor stat plugin where the XSS flaw has been patched. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other web applications. The remediation process involves not only updating the vulnerable plugin but also conducting comprehensive security audits of all installed plugins and themes to identify potential similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to add additional layers of protection against XSS attacks. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be established as standard practices to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in other components of the web infrastructure.