CVE-2015-10092 in Qtranslate Slug Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2023
A vulnerability was found in Qtranslate Slug Plugin up to 1.1.16. It has been classified as problematic. Affected is the function add_slug_meta_box of the file includes/class-qtranslate-slug.php. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 1.1.17 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 74b3932696f9868e14563e51b7d0bb68c53bf5e4. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-222324.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-10092 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Qtranslate Slug WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions up to 1.1.16. This security weakness resides in the add_slug_meta_box function located within the includes/class-qtranslate-slug.php file, demonstrating how seemingly minor code components can expose entire web applications to significant risks. The vulnerability classification as problematic indicates that it presents a substantial security concern that requires immediate attention from system administrators and security teams managing WordPress installations.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs through the improper handling of user input within the slug meta box functionality, which is a critical component for multilingual WordPress sites utilizing the Qtranslate plugin. When the add_slug_meta_box function processes data, it fails to adequately sanitize or escape user-provided content before rendering it within the HTML output context, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary JavaScript code. This particular vulnerability operates through the standard HTTP request-response cycle, allowing remote exploitation without requiring authentication or elevated privileges from attackers. The cross-site scripting vector enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions on behalf of victims.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress ecosystem. Attackers can leverage this XSS vulnerability to establish persistent access to compromised sites, potentially modifying content, stealing administrator credentials, or redirecting users to malicious domains. The remote exploitability aspect means that threat actors can target vulnerable installations without physical access to the server, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for businesses relying on WordPress for their web presence. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but entire WordPress installations that utilize the Qtranslate Slug plugin, creating widespread potential for exploitation across multiple organizations and websites.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of insufficient input validation and output escaping, which aligns with CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting and follows patterns commonly seen in web application security flaws. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application technique, as it represents an attack against a publicly accessible web application component. The recommended mitigation strategy focuses on upgrading to version 1.1.17, which contains the patch identified by the commit hash 74b3932696f9868e14563e51b7d0bb68c53bf5e4. This upgrade process should be implemented immediately across all affected WordPress installations, with thorough testing to ensure compatibility with existing site configurations. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and defensive measures including web application firewalls, input validation rules, and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their web infrastructure.