CVE-2015-9346 in cp-polls Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The cp-polls plugin before 1.0.5 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2023
The cp-polls plugin for WordPress contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects versions prior to 1.0.5, representing a critical security flaw in the content management system's plugin ecosystem. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, particularly in poll-related functionality where users can submit poll options or responses. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's interface, potentially compromising the security of WordPress installations that utilize this vulnerable component.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs before rendering them in web pages. When poll data is submitted through the WordPress admin interface or public-facing poll forms, the plugin does not adequately escape special characters or validate the content against known malicious patterns. This creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers, particularly when administrators or users view poll results or manage poll configurations. The vulnerability manifests as reflected cross-site scripting since the malicious code is reflected back to users through the plugin's output without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. Attackers could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify poll data, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress installation if the attacker has access to administrative functions. The vulnerability affects both the plugin's administrative interface and its public-facing components, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by both authenticated and unauthenticated users depending on the specific implementation details. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete compromise of the WordPress installation if not addressed promptly.
Organizations should immediately update to cp-polls plugin version 1.0.5 or later, which includes proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms to prevent XSS attacks. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input sanitization measures, such as using WordPress's built-in escaping functions like esc_attr() and esc_html(), can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in other plugins. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for outdated plugins and themes, as well as implementing content security policies to mitigate the impact of potential XSS exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a common vector for attackers to establish persistent access within web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application attack, specifically within the T1213 technique for credential access through compromised web applications, highlighting the potential for privilege escalation and data theft through such vulnerabilities.