CVE-2015-5461 in StageShow Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in the Redirect function in stageshow_redirect.php in the StageShow plugin before 5.0.9 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 • 11/23/2024
The CVE-2015-5461 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw within the StageShow WordPress plugin ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 5.0.9. This vulnerability exists within the Redirect function implementation in the stageshow_redirect.php file, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers to manipulate user navigation. The flaw enables malicious actors to construct deceptive URLs that appear legitimate while redirecting users to entirely different destinations, thereby compromising user security and trust in the affected WordPress installation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple redirection as it provides attackers with a foundation for executing sophisticated social engineering campaigns and phishing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the redirect functionality. When users interact with the StageShow plugin's redirect mechanism, the url parameter is processed without proper validation of the target URL's legitimacy or domain. This lack of proper validation allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that bypass normal security checks and redirect users to attacker-controlled domains. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601, which specifically addresses open redirect vulnerabilities where applications redirect users to unvalidated external URLs, creating pathways for malicious activity. The flaw demonstrates poor secure coding practices that fail to implement proper URL validation and domain checking mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial and multifaceted, particularly in the context of modern cybersecurity threats. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to conduct phishing campaigns by redirecting users to counterfeit login pages that mimic legitimate websites, thereby stealing credentials and sensitive information. The open redirect capability also enables the creation of malicious link farms that can be used for various nefarious purposes including malware distribution, credential harvesting, and reputation damage to the affected WordPress site. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress installations where the StageShow plugin is actively used, potentially exposing thousands of users to targeted attacks. The threat landscape is further complicated by the fact that these redirects can appear legitimate to users, making detection and prevention more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5461 should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 5.0.9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation flaws. Organizations should also implement network-level monitoring to detect suspicious redirect patterns and establish proper URL validation mechanisms within their web applications. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection by restricting redirect behavior at the browser level. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious redirect attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving social engineering and credential harvesting, making it a critical target for defensive measures. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include checks for similar open redirect vulnerabilities across all web applications to prevent similar incidents. The remediation process should also involve educating users about the dangers of clicking suspicious links and implementing proper security awareness training programs.