CVE-2015-4337 in XCloner Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the XCloner plugin 3.1.2 for WordPress allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the excl_manual parameter in the xcloner_show page to wpadmin/plugins.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
The CVE-2015-4337 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the XCloner plugin version 3.1.2 for WordPress systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface of WordPress installations where the plugin is active, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on WordPress for their web presence. The flaw exists in the way the plugin processes user input within the xcloner_show page, which is accessed through the wp-admin/plugins.php endpoint, making it exploitable by authenticated users with sufficient privileges to access the WordPress administration panel.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase. When an authenticated user navigates to the xcloner_show page and manipulates the excl_manual parameter, the plugin fails to properly escape or filter the input before rendering it within the web page context. This lack of proper sanitization creates an opening for malicious script execution, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers who visit the affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to the WordPress admin interface, which is typically accessible to users with contributor or administrator roles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify content, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress system. The attack vector specifically targets the administrative interface, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the WordPress installation, especially if the authenticated user possesses administrator privileges. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of the WordPress administration panel and could result in data breaches, defacement, or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4337 should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as well as implementing additional security measures to protect the WordPress administration environment. Organizations should ensure that all WordPress plugins are regularly updated to their latest versions, with particular attention to security patches released by plugin developers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as a fundamental web application security weakness, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution through web interfaces. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers, regular security audits of installed plugins, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to administrative interfaces. Additionally, network segmentation and privileged access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.