CVE-2015-9336 in clean-login Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The clean-login plugin before 1.5.1 for WordPress has reflected XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The CVE-2015-9336 vulnerability affects the clean-login WordPress plugin version 1.5.0 and earlier, representing a reflected cross-site scripting flaw that poses significant security risks to WordPress installations. This vulnerability specifically resides within the plugin's handling of user input parameters, where improperly sanitized data is directly reflected back to users without adequate output encoding or validation. The issue stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper input sanitization mechanisms when processing HTTP request parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability is classified as reflected XSS because the malicious payload is embedded in a request and then reflected back by the server to the victim's browser, making it particularly dangerous for exploitation through social engineering tactics.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's insecure parameter handling within its authentication and login processing functions. When users access certain plugin endpoints or submit login credentials through the clean-login interface, the plugin fails to properly validate or encode input data before incorporating it into HTML responses. This oversight allows attackers to craft malicious URLs containing JavaScript payloads that, when executed by a victim's browser, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized commands on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or social media platforms where users might be tricked into clicking malicious links.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9336 extends beyond simple script execution, as reflected XSS vulnerabilities can lead to complete account compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data within WordPress environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to hijack user sessions, gain administrative privileges, or manipulate the plugin's functionality to redirect users to malicious domains. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations using the affected plugin version, regardless of the underlying server configuration or security measures in place, making it particularly concerning for organizations with multiple WordPress sites or those using the plugin for user authentication purposes. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation requires user interaction with a malicious link, but once triggered, the attack can persist as long as the vulnerable plugin remains installed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9336 primarily focus on immediate plugin updates to version 1.5.1 or later, which contain the necessary security patches to address the input sanitization flaws. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all WordPress plugins and themes are regularly updated with the latest security releases. Additionally, security measures such as implementing content security policies, employing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security audits can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a common attack pattern that maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including initial access through malicious links and privilege escalation via session hijacking. Administrators should also consider implementing strict input validation policies and output encoding mechanisms across all web applications to prevent similar reflected XSS vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of their infrastructure.