CVE-2015-9314 in NewStatPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The newstatpress plugin before 1.0.4 for WordPress has XSS related to the Referer header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The CVE-2015-9314 vulnerability affects the newstatpress plugin version 1.0.3 and earlier in the WordPress ecosystem, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that exploits the handling of the HTTP Referer header. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the improper validation of user-supplied input within web applications. The flaw exists in how the plugin processes and displays the Referer header information without adequate sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly escape or filter the Referer header content before rendering it in the plugin's administrative interface or statistics display. Attackers can craft malicious Referer headers containing script tags or other malicious payloads that get executed in the browser context of administrators or other users who view the affected plugin pages. This type of attack leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, allowing attackers to execute code in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered simply by visiting a malicious website or clicking on a link that generates the crafted Referer header.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9314 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When administrators access the affected plugin interface, they become potential victims of the XSS attack, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where privileged users interact with the plugin's administrative features. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements that manipulate the Referer header to inject malicious JavaScript code. This creates a persistent threat that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate to full system compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9314 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.0.4 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding for the Referer header. Organizations should implement comprehensive web application firewall rules that filter and sanitize Referer headers at the network perimeter, particularly in environments where patching may be delayed. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious Referer header patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework's T1211 technique for exploiting XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack, ensuring that all user-supplied inputs are properly validated and sanitized before processing or display.