CVE-2014-9570 in Simple Security
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the MyWebsiteAdvisor Simple Security plugin 1.1.5 and earlier for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) datefilter parameter in the access_log page to wp-admin/users.php or (2) simple_security_ip_blacklist[] parameter in an add_blacklist_ip action in the ip_blacklist page to wp-admin/users.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The CVE-2014-9570 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the MyWebsiteAdvisor Simple Security plugin version 1.1.5 and earlier, which operates within the WordPress ecosystem. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's administrative interfaces, specifically targeting two distinct parameters that handle user-supplied data without proper security measures. The affected plugin's security features, designed to protect WordPress sites from unauthorized access and malicious IP addresses, instead become attack vectors due to insufficient data sanitization practices. The vulnerability affects the core WordPress administrative dashboard functionality, particularly the access_log page and ip_blacklist page, making it a significant concern for WordPress site administrators who rely on these security features.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary attack vectors that demonstrate poor input handling practices. The first vector involves the datefilter parameter within the access_log page located at wp-admin/users.php, while the second vector targets the simple_security_ip_blacklist[] parameter during an add_blacklist_ip action on the ip_blacklist page also accessible through wp-admin/users.php. Both attack paths allow remote attackers to inject malicious JavaScript or HTML code directly into the administrative interface, bypassing the normal security boundaries that should protect WordPress administrators. This flaw exemplifies CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is classified as a common weakness in web application security where user-controllable data is directly embedded into web pages without proper sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability essentially transforms the security plugin's legitimate functionality into a weapon for executing arbitrary code within the context of authenticated administrator sessions.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9570 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to escalate privileges and potentially gain complete control over WordPress administrative interfaces. When an administrator accesses the compromised pages, the malicious code executes in their browser context, allowing attackers to perform actions such as modifying user permissions, accessing sensitive data, installing additional malware, or conducting further attacks against the compromised WordPress installation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators regularly access the administrative dashboard. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1071 - Application Layer Protocol, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts through web-based interfaces and leverage web application protocols for attack delivery. The security implications are compounded by the fact that administrators often trust the plugin's interface, making the attack more effective and harder to detect.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9570 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating the MyWebsiteAdvisor Simple Security plugin to a version that properly sanitizes input parameters, as the vulnerability was resolved in subsequent releases through proper input validation and output encoding. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting access to administrative interfaces through IP whitelisting, implementing multi-factor authentication, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability highlights the importance of validating all user inputs and properly encoding data before rendering it in web pages, principles that align with OWASP Top 10 security recommendations for preventing XSS attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values and establish security monitoring procedures to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular patch management processes become crucial in preventing such vulnerabilities from being exploited, as the affected plugin version contained known security flaws that were addressed in subsequent updates. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security measures and the critical importance of thorough security testing for all web application components, particularly those handling user input in administrative interfaces.