CVE-2015-10115 in WooSidebars Sidebar Manager Converter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/05/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in WooSidebars Sidebar Manager Converter Plugin up to 1.1.1 on WordPress. This affects the function process_request of the file classes/class-woosidebars-sbm-converter.php. The manipulation leads to open redirect. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 1.1.2 is able to address this issue. The patch is named a0efb4ffb9dfe2925b889c1aa5ea40b4abbbda8a. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-230655.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2023
This vulnerability resides within the WooSidebars Sidebar Manager Converter Plugin for WordPress, specifically in the process_request function located in classes/class-woosidebars-sbm-converter.php. The flaw constitutes an open redirect vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate URL redirection behavior, potentially leading to phishing attacks or malicious link redirection. The vulnerability affects versions up to 1.1.1 and can be exploited remotely, making it particularly dangerous as it does not require local system access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious link. The open redirect flaw enables attackers to craft URLs that redirect users to arbitrary destinations while appearing to originate from a legitimate WordPress site, creating trust-based attack vectors that can deceive users into visiting malicious websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's request processing logic. When the process_request function handles user-supplied parameters, it fails to properly validate or sanitize redirect URLs, allowing malicious actors to inject crafted URLs that bypass normal security checks. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-601, which specifically addresses open redirect vulnerabilities where applications redirect users to untrusted destinations. The flaw represents a critical security gap in the plugin's architecture, as it demonstrates poor input validation practices and insufficient security controls around URL handling mechanisms. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this weakness through web-based attacks without requiring physical access to the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection attacks, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated social engineering campaigns. Attackers can use the open redirect to direct users to phishing pages that mimic legitimate WordPress administrative interfaces, potentially capturing credentials or other sensitive information. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used WordPress plugin increases its attack surface significantly, as many WordPress installations may be running affected versions without proper security monitoring in place. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors, such as cross-site scripting or credential theft campaigns, amplifying the overall security risk. The remote exploitation capability means that this vulnerability can be actively targeted by threat actors without requiring any special privileges or local access to the affected system.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through version upgrading to 1.1.2, which contains the necessary patch identified by the commit hash a0efb4ffb9dfe2925b889c1aa5ea40b4abbbda8a. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all WordPress plugins remain current with security updates. The patch addresses the core validation issue by implementing proper input sanitization and URL validation mechanisms within the process_request function. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns, as well as monitoring for unusual redirect behavior on affected sites. Regular security audits of WordPress installations should include thorough checks of plugin versions to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification under VDB-230655 indicates it was properly documented and tracked through security databases, emphasizing the importance of maintaining updated vulnerability intelligence feeds for proactive security management. Organizations should also implement defense-in-depth strategies that include user education about suspicious redirects and monitoring for potential exploitation attempts.