CVE-2015-1383 in Geo Mashup
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the geo search widget in the Geo Mashup plugin before 1.8.3 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2024
The CVE-2015-1383 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Geo Mashup plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.8.3. This vulnerability resides in the geo search widget functionality, which is designed to enable users to search for geographic locations and display them on interactive maps. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code through the search key parameter, creating a persistent security risk for WordPress sites utilizing this plugin. The vulnerability demonstrates the classic characteristics of XSS attacks where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in web pages, making it particularly dangerous for websites that rely on user-generated geographic content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input in the geo search widget's search key field, which then gets processed and displayed without adequate sanitization measures. This flaw falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, where the system fails to properly validate or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages the legitimate functionality of the geo search widget, making it difficult for administrators to distinguish between normal user behavior and malicious input attempts. The vulnerability can be exploited through various methods including stored XSS, where malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed whenever the affected page is accessed, or reflected XSS, where the malicious script is reflected back to users through the search functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration from authenticated users. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of a victim's browser, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and sensitive data exposure. The attack can be particularly damaging in environments where WordPress sites host sensitive information or where users have administrative privileges, as the injected scripts could be used to escalate privileges or access restricted areas of the site. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery, as the malicious scripts could be used to trick users into performing actions that benefit the attacker.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1383 primarily focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 1.8.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and output sanitization measures. Administrators should implement comprehensive input filtering mechanisms that validate all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for parameters used in dynamic content generation. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded, effectively mitigating the impact of successful XSS attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins or themes, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications. Additionally, implementing Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules specifically targeting XSS attack patterns can provide real-time protection against exploitation attempts, while user education about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or entering untrusted data into web forms can reduce successful attack vectors. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security practices throughout the application development lifecycle to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.