CVE-2015-8350 in Calls to Action Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Calls to Action plugin before 2.5.1 for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) open-tab parameter in a wp_cta_global_settings action to wp-admin/edit.php or (2) wp-cta-variation-id parameter to ab-testing-call-to-action-example/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2022
The CVE-2015-8350 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the Calls to Action plugin for WordPress versions prior to 2.5.1. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's administrative interfaces, creating exploitable entry points that malicious actors can leverage to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability specifically targets two distinct parameters within the plugin's functionality, namely the open-tab parameter in the wp_cta_global_settings action and the wp-cta-variation-id parameter in the ab-testing-call-to-action-example endpoint, both of which are accessible through administrative pathways.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through parameter manipulation within the WordPress administration area, where the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing or rendering it within the web interface. When an attacker crafts malicious payloads and injects them into either the open-tab or wp-cta-variation-id parameters, the vulnerable plugin code directly incorporates this unsanitized data into HTML output without appropriate encoding or validation measures. This flaw allows for persistent or reflected XSS attacks, where malicious scripts execute in the context of other users' browsers who visit affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8350 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to gain elevated privileges within WordPress installations where the vulnerable plugin is active. An attacker with access to the administrative interface can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects not only individual user sessions but also the broader WordPress installation, as the injected scripts can manipulate the administrative interface, modify content, or redirect users to malicious sites. This represents a significant threat to WordPress sites that rely on the Calls to Action plugin for campaign management and user engagement features.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving code injection within web applications, potentially enabling privilege escalation and persistent access to target systems. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected WordPress installations, ensuring that all instances running the Calls to Action plugin are updated to version 2.5.1 or later. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and regular security auditing of WordPress plugins can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Network monitoring and web application firewalls should also be configured to detect and block suspicious parameter manipulation attempts targeting known vulnerable endpoints.