CVE-2015-0920 in Banner Effect Header
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the Banner Effect Header plugin 1.2.6 for WordPress allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via the banner_effect_email parameter in the BannerEffectOptions page to wp-admin/options-general.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The CVE-2015-0920 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the Banner Effect Header WordPress plugin version 1.2.6, specifically targeting the administrative interface of WordPress installations. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of CSRF and XSS attack vectors, creating a particularly dangerous threat landscape for WordPress administrators. The flaw manifests through the banner_effect_email parameter within the BannerEffectOptions page, which is accessible via the wp-admin/options-general.php endpoint, making it a direct attack surface for authenticated administrators.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input within the administrative settings page. When an administrator visits the BannerEffectOptions page, the plugin processes the banner_effect_email parameter without adequate CSRF protection mechanisms. This absence of proper token validation allows remote attackers to craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress administrative interface. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it combines CSRF with XSS capabilities, enabling attackers to not only hijack administrator sessions but also to execute malicious scripts within the context of the administrator's browser, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple session hijacking, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the WordPress environment. Administrators who visit malicious pages or click on compromised links become unwitting participants in attacks that can result in full system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized modifications to website content. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations that utilize the Banner Effect Header plugin, with the specific version 1.2.6 being the target of exploitation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code through stored XSS payloads, potentially leading to persistent backdoors, credential theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0920 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF validation gaps, as well as the implementation of proper input sanitization and CSRF token validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as Content Security Policy headers, Web Application Firewalls, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1548.003 for abuse of credentials and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams. Regular monitoring of WordPress plugin repositories and maintaining updated security practices are essential defensive measures against similar vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem.