CVE-2015-9354 in GigPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The gigpress plugin before 2.3.11 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2023
The CVE-2015-9354 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the gigpress plugin version 2.3.10 and earlier for the WordPress content management system. This vulnerability exposes websites utilizing the affected plugin to potential malicious exploitation through client-side script injection attacks. The gigpress plugin serves as a concert and event management tool for WordPress sites, allowing users to display upcoming performances and tour dates. The XSS vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in HTML output contexts. When users input event information, venue details, or other data into the gigpress management interface, the plugin does not adequately escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or defacing the website content. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of parameters related to event listings and display functions, making it particularly dangerous for event-focused websites that regularly update their content.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9354 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it provides attackers with persistent access to vulnerable WordPress installations. Once exploited, the XSS vulnerability can enable attackers to establish footholds within the website's ecosystem, potentially leading to complete compromise of the WordPress installation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that persist across user sessions, making the attack vector particularly insidious. The vulnerability affects not only the website's integrity but also poses risks to visitor privacy and security, as users may unknowingly execute malicious code when viewing event listings. Additionally, the compromised site could be used as a launching point for further attacks against visitors or as a vector for distributing malware to unsuspecting users.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through updating to gigpress plugin version 2.3.11 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. The fix addresses the core issue by implementing comprehensive validation of user inputs and ensuring that all dynamic content is properly escaped before rendering in HTML contexts. Security practitioners should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, along with regular security audits of WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, and represents a common weakness in web application security that falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content. Organizations should also implement proper security monitoring and logging to detect exploitation attempts and maintain up-to-date security patches for all WordPress components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.