CVE-2014-9454 in Simple Sticky Footer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in the Simple Sticky Footer plugin before 1.3.3 for WordPress allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that (1) change plugin settings via unspecified vectors or conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via the (2) simple_sf_width or (3) simple_sf_style parameter in the simple-simple-sticky-footer page to wp-admin/themes.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The CVE-2014-9454 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw affecting the Simple Sticky Footer WordPress plugin version 1.3.2 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's administrative interface and exposes WordPress sites to significant security risks through unauthorized administrative actions. The flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of user input in administrative contexts, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate plugin configurations without proper authentication. The vulnerability impacts the core WordPress administration system by exploiting the trust relationship between administrators and the web application, allowing malicious actors to execute unauthorized operations within the administrative context.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper anti-CSRF mechanisms in its administrative pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that leverage the authenticated session of administrators, effectively bypassing the authentication checks typically required for administrative operations. The vulnerability manifests through three distinct vectors: the simple_sf_width parameter, the simple_sf_style parameter, and unspecified vectors related to plugin setting modifications. These parameters are processed within the plugin's administrative interface, specifically in the context of wp-admin/themes.php, where the plugin's settings are managed. The lack of CSRF tokens or similar validation mechanisms means that legitimate administrative requests can be hijacked and executed by unauthorized parties who craft malicious links or forms that exploit the existing trust relationship.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes to potentially enable more severe attacks including persistent cross-site scripting exploitation. When administrators visit malicious pages or click on compromised links, their authenticated sessions can be exploited to modify plugin settings, potentially altering the site's appearance or functionality in ways that could serve as stepping stones for further attacks. The vulnerability particularly affects sites where administrators have elevated privileges and are frequently logged into their WordPress admin panels, making the attack surface more accessible. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability may encompass multiple attack paths within the plugin's administrative interface, indicating a broader architectural flaw rather than a single parameter issue.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery conditions in software systems. The attack pattern follows standard CSRF methodologies described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of T1566 for credential access through manipulation of web requests. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how third-party plugins can introduce security weaknesses into otherwise secure WordPress installations, particularly when proper input validation and session management controls are not implemented. Organizations using vulnerable versions of the Simple Sticky Footer plugin face risks including unauthorized configuration changes, potential data manipulation, and possible escalation to full site compromise if attackers can leverage the administrative access gained through successful CSRF attacks.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate updating of the Simple Sticky Footer plugin to version 1.3.3 or later, which contains the necessary CSRF protection mechanisms. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular plugin audits, monitoring of administrative actions, and the implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns. Organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the scope of potential XSS exploitation and ensure that administrative sessions are properly secured with appropriate session management practices. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current plugin versions and conducting regular security assessments of WordPress installations to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by threat actors.