CVE-2015-9317 in awesome-support Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The awesome-support plugin before 3.1.7 for WordPress has XSS via custom information messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2023
The CVE-2015-9317 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw in the awesome-support WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.1.7. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of custom information messages, which are typically used to display administrative notifications or user-specific data within the WordPress dashboard. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into these informational messages, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical weakness in input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's administrative interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data within the plugin's message handling system. When administrators or users input custom information messages, the plugin fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of proper data sanitization creates an environment where malicious actors can embed script tags, event handlers, or other malicious code within the message fields. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the WordPress admin area, where users typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions. The flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from inadequate input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9317 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to administrative functions and sensitive data. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious scripts into the information messages, they can leverage this vector to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering, where administrators might be tricked into viewing malicious messages, or through automated exploitation if the plugin is configured to display user-submitted messages without proper sanitization. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of WordPress installations using the affected plugin version, potentially leading to complete system compromise if attackers can escalate privileges or gain access to additional administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9317 require immediate patching of the awesome-support plugin to version 3.1.7 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation for all user-supplied data within WordPress plugins, particularly in administrative interfaces where sensitive operations occur. Security measures should include regular plugin updates, implementation of content security policies to prevent script execution, and monitoring of administrative interfaces for suspicious activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for web application security. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be leveraged in conjunction with other attack vectors within the WordPress ecosystem. The remediation process should also include reviewing and validating all custom messages and user inputs within the plugin's administrative interface to ensure no malicious code remains in the system.