CVE-2015-1582 in Spider Facebook
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Spider Facebook plugin before 1.0.11 for WordPress allow (1) remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the appid parameter in a registration task to the default URI or remote administrators to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (2) asc_or_desc, (3) order_by, (4) page_number, (5) serch_or_not, or (6) search_events_by_title parameter in (a) the Spider_Facebook_manage page to wp-admin/admin.php or a (b) selectpagesforfacebook or (c) selectpostsforfacebook action to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1582 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Spider Facebook plugin for WordPress systems. This issue affects versions prior to 1.0.11 and exposes web applications to malicious injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized code. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-supplied parameters, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content.
The technical exploitation occurs through several distinct parameter injection points within the plugin's administrative interface. Attackers can manipulate the appid parameter during registration tasks to the default URI, or target multiple parameters on the Spider_Facebook_manage page located at wp-admin/admin.php. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to parameters such as asc_or_desc, order_by, page_number, serch_or_not, and search_events_by_title when accessed through various actions including selectpagesforfacebook or selectpostsforfacebook at wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. These parameters lack proper sanitization, allowing malicious actors to inject script payloads that execute in the context of authenticated admin sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to gain elevated privileges and potentially take complete control of WordPress administrative functions. When exploited, these XSS vulnerabilities can lead to session hijacking, data theft, unauthorized content modification, and persistent malware delivery to users. The vulnerability specifically targets the wp-admin interface, which means successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the WordPress installation, allowing attackers to modify plugin configurations, add malicious users, or even install backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects administrative functions that are typically protected by authentication mechanisms.
Security professionals should address this vulnerability through immediate patching to version 1.0.11 or later, which implements proper input validation and output sanitization measures. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting these specific parameters. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which classifies cross-site scripting as a weakness in input validation and output encoding. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter and T1548.001 for abuse of privileges, as attackers can leverage the XSS to escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment. Additional mitigations include implementing content security policies, regular security audits of WordPress plugins, and maintaining updated security monitoring systems to detect anomalous parameter usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.