CVE-2015-4063 in NewStatPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in includes/nsp_search.php in the NewStatPress plugin before 0.9.9 for WordPress allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the where1 parameter in the nsp_search page to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2025
The CVE-2015-4063 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the NewStatPress WordPress plugin ecosystem, specifically targeting versions prior to 0.9.9. This vulnerability exists in the includes/nsp_search.php file and creates a significant security risk for WordPress administrators and users who have authenticated access to the WordPress admin interface. The flaw manifests when the plugin processes the where1 parameter through the nsp_search page located at wp-admin/admin.php, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only authenticated access, meaning that users with legitimate administrative privileges can be exploited to carry out XSS attacks against other users within the same WordPress environment.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or sanitization. The technical implementation flaw occurs in the parameter handling within the NewStatPress plugin's administrative interface, where the where1 parameter is not adequately sanitized before being rendered in the web response. The vulnerability operates by allowing an attacker to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The attack vector specifically targets the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint which serves as the central administrative interface for WordPress, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4063 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables sophisticated attack scenarios within the WordPress administration environment. When authenticated users with administrative privileges access the vulnerable nsp_search page, the injected malicious code executes in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, modify administrative settings, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges since it targets authenticated users, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently access the WordPress admin interface. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for prolonged surveillance or privilege escalation attacks, especially in multi-user WordPress environments where administrative access is shared among multiple individuals.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2015-4063 involves immediate upgrading of the NewStatPress plugin to version 0.9.9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within their WordPress environments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other plugins or themes. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all installed plugins to identify potential XSS vulnerabilities, particularly focusing on administrative interfaces that process user-supplied input. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded, thereby limiting the impact of any remaining vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper parameter validation, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks and the ATT&CK framework's web application exploitation techniques, particularly those related to client-side attack vectors and credential exposure.