CVE-2015-10116 in Favicon Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2023
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in RealFaviconGenerator Favicon Plugin up to 1.2.12 on WordPress. This affects the function install_new_favicon of the file admin/class-favicon-by-realfavicongenerator-admin.php. The manipulation leads to cross-site request forgery. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 1.2.13 is able to address this issue. The identifier of the patch is 949a1ae7216216350458844f50a72f100b56d4e7. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-230661 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2023
This vulnerability exists within the RealFaviconGenerator Favicon Plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions up to 1.2.12. The issue is categorized as a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that stems from insufficient validation of user requests within the plugin's administrative interface. The flaw manifests in the install_new_favicon function located in the admin/class-favicon-by-realfavicongenerator-admin.php file, where the plugin fails to properly authenticate and authorize requests that modify favicon settings. This allows an attacker to exploit the vulnerability through remote execution without requiring user credentials or session tokens, making it particularly dangerous in web applications where administrators regularly interact with plugin interfaces. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete compromise of the plugin's functionality and associated website security.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs when the plugin's administrative function processes favicon installation requests without proper validation of the request source or authenticity. The lack of anti-CSRF tokens or similar protective mechanisms in the request handling process means that malicious actors can craft specially crafted requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress administration interface. This allows for unauthorized favicon modifications, which could potentially be leveraged as part of a broader attack vector or to establish persistence within the compromised WordPress environment. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or direct network access to the administrative interface, as they can simply craft malicious links or forms that, when clicked by an authenticated administrator, will execute the unauthorized favicon installation process. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1547.001 for Application Access Tokens and T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple favicon modification, as it represents a fundamental security flaw in the plugin's administrative interface that could potentially be exploited to perform more serious operations within the WordPress ecosystem. An attacker could potentially use this vulnerability to install malicious code, modify other plugin settings, or establish backdoors through the compromised administrative interface. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used WordPress plugin means that numerous websites could be at risk, particularly those that do not regularly update their plugins or perform security audits. The fact that this vulnerability allows for remote exploitation without authentication significantly increases its risk profile and potential for widespread impact across the WordPress community. Organizations using this plugin should consider the broader implications for their security posture, as the compromise of a single administrative function could provide attackers with a foothold for further attacks. The vulnerability's patch, identified by the commit hash 949a1ae7216216350458844f50a72f100b56d4e7, demonstrates that the developers recognized the severity of the issue and implemented proper CSRF protection measures in version 1.2.13.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to version 1.2.13 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the CSRF vulnerability. This upgrade should be prioritized as part of routine security maintenance procedures, particularly for websites that host sensitive information or have high-value targets. Administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as network-level protections, monitoring for suspicious administrative activities, and ensuring that all WordPress plugins are kept current with the latest security updates. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where privileged operations are performed. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The presence of this vulnerability in a popular plugin underscores the critical need for developers to follow secure coding practices and for users to maintain updated software versions to protect against known security flaws.