CVE-2015-5481 in GD bbPress Attachments Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in forms/panels.php in the GD bbPress Attachments plugin before 2.3 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the tab parameter in the gdbbpress_attachments page to wp-admin/edit.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2022
The CVE-2015-5481 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the GD bbPress Attachments plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.3. This vulnerability exists within the forms/panels.php file and creates a dangerous attack vector that allows remote adversaries to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The flaw is particularly concerning because it targets the WordPress admin interface, specifically the gdbbpress_attachments page accessed through wp-admin/edit.php, making it accessible to users with administrative privileges who may be tricked into visiting malicious links or pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization of the tab parameter. When the plugin processes user-supplied input through this parameter without proper sanitization, it fails to properly encode or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of input filtering creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious payloads that execute in the browser context of legitimate users who access the affected administrative pages. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, where improper neutralization of input data leads to unauthorized code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. An attacker could potentially steal administrative credentials, modify or delete content, install malware, or escalate privileges to gain full control over the WordPress installation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, typically involving social engineering to convince an administrator to click on a malicious link, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently browse the web or interact with external content. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers Social Engineering tactics, specifically focusing on the manipulation of users to execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5481 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 2.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as content security policies that restrict script execution and input sanitization at multiple layers of the application. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other plugins or themes. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious patterns in administrative access, and user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying links and avoiding suspicious content. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date WordPress plugins and the potential consequences of neglecting security updates in content management systems.