CVE-2015-9298 in events-manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The events-manager plugin before 5.6 for WordPress has code injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2024
The CVE-2015-9298 vulnerability represents a critical code injection flaw discovered in the events-manager plugin for WordPress prior to version 5.6. This vulnerability exposes the plugin to arbitrary code execution through improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The events-manager plugin is widely used for event management and calendar functionality within WordPress environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it affects numerous websites and organizations relying on WordPress for their online presence. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input parameters that are directly incorporated into the plugin's processing logic without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this code injection vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly validate and sanitize data submitted through various user-facing forms and API endpoints. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets executed as code within the context of the web server running the WordPress installation. This typically involves manipulating parameters in event creation forms, editing interfaces, or API calls that are processed by the plugin's backend functions. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution, which can result in complete compromise of the affected WordPress site, data exfiltration, or the installation of malicious payloads. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents a fundamental flaw in input validation and output encoding practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9298 extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of event information, creation of backdoor accounts, or even complete site defacement. The vulnerability affects not only the basic functionality of event management but also poses risks to the broader WordPress ecosystem, as compromised sites can be used as launching points for further attacks against visitors or other connected systems. Organizations using vulnerable versions of the events-manager plugin face significant exposure to these threats, particularly since WordPress remains one of the most widely deployed content management systems globally. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 - "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1059.007 - "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" as attackers can leverage the code injection to execute arbitrary commands and scripts within the target environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9298 primarily focus on immediate patching of the events-manager plugin to version 5.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for input validation and sanitization. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including input validation at multiple layers, proper output escaping for all dynamic content, and regular security audits of installed plugins. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be considered a replacement for proper patching. Organizations should also monitor for signs of exploitation through log analysis and implement principle of least privilege configurations for WordPress installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and following secure coding practices, particularly in the context of WordPress plugins where user input is frequently processed and displayed without adequate sanitization. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing of WordPress environments can help identify similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.