CVE-2015-9312 in NewStatPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The newstatpress plugin before 1.0.5 for WordPress has XSS related to an IMG element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The CVE-2015-9312 vulnerability affects the newstatpress plugin version 1.0.4 and earlier for WordPress, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets image elements within the plugin's functionality. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user-supplied data that gets rendered in IMG tags, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, allowing attackers to manipulate the plugin's behavior through crafted payloads embedded in image-related parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes image data without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code within IMG element attributes. When authenticated users view pages that display data processed by the vulnerable plugin, the injected scripts execute in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, defacement of the WordPress admin interface, or redirection to malicious sites. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, specifically manifesting in the context of HTML generation where user input directly influences IMG tag attributes.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9312 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through session manipulation, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects any WordPress site running the affected plugin version, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the admin interface or where the plugin displays user-generated content in image formats. This weakness also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can craft malicious image files that exploit this vulnerability when viewed by administrators.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to version 1.0.5 or later, which contain proper input validation and output encoding fixes. System administrators should also implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect unusual patterns in image processing activities and consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution within IMG elements. Additional defensive measures include regular security audits of WordPress plugins, implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads, and ensuring that only authorized users have access to plugin administration interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in web applications and highlights how seemingly innocuous functionality can become a security risk when proper validation mechanisms are absent.