CVE-2015-9329 in wp-all-import Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-all-import plugin before 3.2.5 for WordPress has reflected XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2023
The wp-all-import plugin vulnerability CVE-2015-9329 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that affected versions prior to 3.2.5 within the WordPress ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically resides in the plugin's handling of user-supplied input within the import functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a victim's browser. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload is embedded within a URL or HTTP request and then reflected back to the user through the application's response, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the wp-all-import plugin's import processing routines. When users interact with the plugin's import features, particularly when importing data from external sources or when processing user-generated content, the plugin fails to properly escape or filter special characters in the input data. This allows attackers to inject malicious javascript code that gets executed when other users view the affected pages or process the imported data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting flaw, specifically categorized as reflected XSS due to the manner in which the malicious input is processed and returned to the user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive user information, or redirect victims to malicious domains. In a WordPress environment, where administrators often have elevated privileges, successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the site and potentially the underlying server. The vulnerability affects not only the end-users who might encounter the malicious scripts but also administrators who could be tricked into executing harmful code during routine import operations. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious links and T1547.001 for privilege escalation through malicious software execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9329 involve immediate patching of the wp-all-import plugin to version 3.2.5 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and sanitization fixes. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures including input filtering at the web application firewall level, regular security audits of installed plugins, and user education regarding the dangers of clicking suspicious links or importing untrusted data. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing proper security controls around user input processing. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing of WordPress installations can help identify similar issues in other plugins or themes that may present similar security risks.