CVE-2015-5733 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the refreshAdvancedAccessibilityOfItem function in wp-admin/js/nav-menu.js in WordPress before 4.2.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an accessibility-helper title.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5733 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WordPress content management system that specifically affects versions prior to 4.2.4. This vulnerability resides in the wp-admin/js/nav-menu.js file and targets the refreshAdvancedAccessibilityOfItem function, which handles accessibility helper titles within the WordPress admin interface. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code through carefully crafted accessibility-helper titles, potentially compromising the security of WordPress administrators and users who interact with the affected admin panels.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize or escape user input that is subsequently rendered within the admin interface without adequate security measures. When administrators navigate to menu management sections that utilize the affected function, the malicious code becomes executed in their browser context, creating a persistent threat vector for attackers seeking to exploit administrator sessions or perform unauthorized actions within the WordPress environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5733 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that leverage the elevated privileges of WordPress administrators. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to steal administrative credentials, modify website content, install malicious plugins, or establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. This flaw directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1566, which encompasses social engineering attacks that can leverage XSS vulnerabilities to compromise user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching of WordPress installations to version 4.2.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly sanitize accessibility helper titles. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping measures throughout their WordPress installations, particularly in admin interfaces where user-supplied data is processed. Security best practices recommend implementing content security policies that limit script execution within the WordPress admin environment, along with regular security audits of JavaScript files and admin interfaces. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts targeting known XSS patterns, while maintaining detailed monitoring of admin interface access patterns to identify potential exploitation attempts.