CVE-2015-10075 in Custom-Content-Width
Summary
by MITRE • 02/07/2023
A vulnerability was found in Custom-Content-Width 1.0. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function override_content_width/register_settings of the file custom-content-width.php. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Upgrading to version 1.0.1 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is e05e0104fc42ad13b57e2b2cb2d1857432624d39. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-220219. NOTE: This attack is not very likely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-10075 affects the Custom-Content-Width WordPress plugin version 1.0, specifically targeting the override_content_width and register_settings functions within the custom-content-width.php file. This represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser, potentially compromising user sessions and data confidentiality. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of user-controllable input parameters during the content width override and settings registration processes, creating an avenue for malicious code injection that can be exploited through web-based interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the affected plugin functions. When users interact with the plugin's content width customization features or settings registration mechanisms, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before processing it. This creates a scenario where malicious actors can inject crafted payloads that execute within the browser context of legitimate users who access the affected WordPress site. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to launch attacks, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing environments where the plugin is installed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation. The XSS vulnerability allows for persistent or reflected attack vectors, potentially enabling attackers to redirect users to malicious sites, steal cookies and session tokens, or inject malicious content that appears legitimate to end users. Given that this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is known to be exploitable, the risk to affected WordPress installations is significant, particularly for sites that do not maintain current plugin versions or implement proper security measures. The vulnerability's classification as a medium severity issue according to standard risk assessment methodologies indicates that while it may not be immediately catastrophic, it represents a substantial security risk that requires prompt remediation.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 1.0.1 of the Custom-Content-Width plugin, which includes the patch identified by the commit hash e05e0104fc42ad13b57e2b2cb2d1857432624d39. This upgrade addresses the core input validation issues by implementing proper sanitization and escaping mechanisms for user-controllable parameters within the affected functions. Security practitioners should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as web application firewalls, input validation rules, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability's low likelihood of exploitation rating does not diminish the importance of remediation, as the potential impact of successful exploitation can be severe, particularly in environments where users have administrative privileges or access to sensitive data. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as part of their regular security maintenance procedures, aligning with industry best practices for vulnerability management and security hardening. This case demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing proper security controls to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in widely-used web applications.