CVE-2015-4065 in Landing Pages Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in shared/shortcodes/inbound-shortcodes.php in the Landing Pages plugin before 1.8.5 for WordPress allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the post parameter to wp-admin/post-new.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2025
The CVE-2015-4065 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Landing Pages plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.8.5. This vulnerability resides in the shared/shortcodes/inbound-shortcodes.php file and creates a significant security risk by allowing authenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into the WordPress administrative interface. The flaw occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input received through the post parameter in the wp-admin/post-new.php endpoint, which is commonly used for creating new posts and pages within the WordPress dashboard.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode handling functionality. When an authenticated user with appropriate privileges accesses the post creation interface, the plugin processes the post parameter without adequate sanitization, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a classic case of improper neutralization of input during web application development. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the WordPress admin interface and authenticated users, enabling attackers to execute malicious code in the browsers of other administrators or editors who view the affected content.
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, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Attackers could potentially steal administrator credentials, modify or delete content, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors through this vector. The vulnerability is classified as a server-side code execution risk under ATT&CK framework category T1190, which covers exploit public-facing applications, and represents a significant threat to WordPress site integrity and user security. Given that the vulnerability affects the administrative interface, it provides attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive areas of the WordPress installation, making it particularly attractive for attackers seeking to compromise entire WordPress sites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4065 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 1.8.5 or later, which contain the necessary sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, implementation of web application firewalls, and enforcement of strict input validation policies. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing and code review practices, particularly for plugins that handle user input in administrative contexts. Security professionals should monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other WordPress plugins and ensure that all administrative interfaces properly sanitize and validate user input to prevent similar XSS attacks. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security assessments can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while maintaining updated security practices across the entire WordPress ecosystem.