CVE-2015-5227 in Landing Pages Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Landing Pages plugin before 1.9.2 for WordPress allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5227 affects the Landing Pages plugin for WordPress versions prior to 1.9.2, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that enables attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of the url parameter, which fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing. The issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the category of input validation flaws, specifically aligning with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation in software systems. The flaw occurs when the plugin processes the url parameter without implementing proper sanitization or encoding measures, creating an attack vector where malicious payloads can be executed directly on the WordPress server. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to execute code without requiring authentication or prior access to the system, making it a prime target for automated exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes WordPress installations to significant risk including unauthorized data access, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive information, or deploy additional malware payloads. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target affected systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or insider knowledge. This characteristic makes it particularly attractive to threat actors and increases the potential attack surface significantly.
Security professionals should prioritize patching affected systems immediately, as the vulnerability has been widely exploited in the wild since its disclosure. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Landing Pages plugin version 1.9.2 or later, which contains proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious traffic patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls to block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability. Additionally, regular security audits of installed plugins and themes should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by attackers. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust input validation practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework for defensive security measures.