CVE-2015-4070 in Wow Moodboard Lite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in the proxyimages function in wowproxy.php in the Wow Moodboard Lite plugin 1.1.1.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2020
The CVE-2015-4070 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw in the Wow Moodboard Lite WordPress plugin version 1.1.1.1, specifically within the proxyimages function located in the wowproxy.php file. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and authorization bypass issues, with direct implications for web application security and user trust. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate the url parameter in the proxyimages function, creating a pathway for unauthorized redirection that can be exploited to deceive users into visiting malicious websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the proxyimages function. When the plugin processes image requests through the proxy mechanism, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the url parameter that users can supply. This allows attackers to craft malicious URLs containing redirect instructions that bypass normal security checks. The vulnerability operates by accepting user-supplied input without adequate filtering, permitting the inclusion of external URLs that redirect users to attacker-controlled domains. This creates a dangerous attack surface where legitimate users may be unknowingly redirected to phishing sites or malicious content hosting platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection, creating significant risks for both end users and website administrators. Attackers can leverage this flaw to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns by redirecting users to fake login pages that mimic legitimate banking or social media platforms. The vulnerability enables man-in-the-middle attacks where users are unknowingly directed to malicious sites while believing they are accessing legitimate content. From a security perspective, this opens the door to credential theft, malware distribution, and reputation damage for affected websites. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it exploits the trust users place in legitimate WordPress plugins and their associated proxy functionality.
Organizations and security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader web application security frameworks, particularly aligning with CWE-601 open redirect vulnerabilities and ATT&CK techniques related to initial access through phishing. The remediation strategy must include immediate patching of the Wow Moodboard Lite plugin to version 1.1.1.2 or later, which addresses the input validation issues in the proxyimages function. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input sanitization measures, including URL validation and whitelisting of allowed domains, to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other custom plugin implementations. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious redirect patterns, and user education programs should be strengthened to help identify potential phishing attempts that may exploit such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security audits of WordPress plugins and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent parameter injection and redirection attacks.