CVE-2015-9328 in profile-builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The profile-builder plugin before 2.2.5 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The CVE-2015-9328 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the profile-builder plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 2.2.5 and exposes WordPress installations to potential malicious attacks through improper input validation mechanisms. The profile-builder plugin serves as a user management tool that allows administrators to create custom registration forms and user profiles, making it a critical component in WordPress security infrastructure. The flaw manifests when the plugin fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied input data before rendering it within web pages, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's output.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient output escaping and input validation practices within the plugin's codebase. When users submit data through profile forms or other interactive elements, the plugin processes this information without proper sanitization measures. This allows attackers to craft malicious input containing javascript payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious scripts into form fields, profile information, or other user-controllable data inputs that the plugin processes and displays without adequate protection mechanisms. The attack vector typically involves social engineering tactics where users are tricked into submitting malicious data or accessing compromised pages containing the injected scripts.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9328 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive authentication cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites using the profile-builder plugin, where administrators may have elevated privileges and where user data is stored and managed. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on WordPress for business operations, as compromised user accounts can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access to administrative functions, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on establishing persistence through credential access and session hijacking.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate plugin updates to version 2.2.5 or later, which contain the necessary security patches to address the XSS flaw. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all user-supplied content, and regular security audits of installed WordPress plugins. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script injection attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected plugins or components within their WordPress installations, as similar vulnerabilities may exist in other third-party software components. Regular monitoring of security advisories and maintaining updated security configurations form essential elements of a comprehensive defense strategy against this type of vulnerability.