CVE-2015-9302 in simple-fields Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The simple-fields plugin before 1.4.11 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The CVE-2015-9302 vulnerability affects the simple-fields plugin for WordPress, which is a popular plugin used for creating custom fields and content management capabilities within WordPress environments. This particular vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw that has significant implications for WordPress site security and user data integrity. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 1.4.11, indicating that the plugin developers had identified and addressed this specific security concern in their subsequent releases. The simple-fields plugin, like many WordPress plugins, handles user input through various form fields and content management interfaces, making it a potential attack vector for malicious actors seeking to exploit XSS vulnerabilities.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's code implementation. When users interact with the plugin's interface or when content is processed through the plugin's custom field functionality, the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it back to users. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's administrative interfaces or front-end displays. The vulnerability specifically affects how the plugin processes and displays user-generated content, particularly when handling data submitted through custom field forms. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, could perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized commands within the context of the victim's WordPress session.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9302 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to compromise entire WordPress installations when combined with other exploitation techniques. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the WordPress administrative interface, potentially leading to complete site compromise. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have administrative privileges, as it could allow attackers to escalate their privileges or modify critical site content. The vulnerability's presence in a widely-used plugin means that numerous WordPress sites could be at risk simultaneously, creating a significant threat landscape for organizations relying on WordPress for their web presence. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how third-party plugin vulnerabilities can create attack surfaces for sophisticated cyber threats.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from WordPress administrators and security teams. The primary and most effective mitigation is to upgrade the simple-fields plugin to version 1.4.11 or later, where the XSS vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should also implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect any potential exploitation attempts, including reviewing web server logs for suspicious activities and monitoring user sessions for unauthorized access patterns. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security audits of WordPress installations should include thorough checks of all active plugins to ensure they are running patched versions and do not contain known vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing proper input validation practices, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defense against malicious input techniques. The incident also highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into web applications.