CVE-2015-9355 in Two-Factor-Authentication Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The two-factor-authentication plugin before 1.1.0 for WordPress has XSS in the admin area.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2023
The CVE-2015-9355 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the two-factor-authentication plugin for WordPress systems prior to version 1.1.0. This security weakness specifically targets the administrative interface of WordPress installations, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on the plugin for enhanced security measures. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, particularly in how it handles user-supplied data within the admin dashboard environment. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the entire administrative session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user input within the plugin's administrative components. When administrators or users interact with the two-factor authentication interface, the plugin fails to adequately sanitize data before rendering it in the browser context. This creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious payloads that persist within the plugin's administrative pages, enabling them to execute arbitrary JavaScript code against authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the privileged admin area where users have elevated permissions and access to critical system functions. According to CWE classification, this represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9355 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete administrative compromise of WordPress installations. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially steal session cookies, execute commands as privileged users, modify plugin configurations, or even gain access to sensitive data within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability undermines the very purpose of two-factor authentication, as it allows attackers to bypass the security layer that should protect against unauthorized access. In practical attack scenarios, this flaw could enable threat actors to establish persistent backdoors, modify website content, or exfiltrate sensitive information from the administrative interface. The risk is amplified because the vulnerability affects the core authentication infrastructure, making it particularly attractive to attackers seeking long-term access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9355 primarily focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 1.1.0 or later, which contain the necessary security patches. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all dynamic content, and regular security auditing of installed plugins. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious script injections within administrative interfaces, while web application firewalls can provide additional protection against known attack patterns. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all WordPress installations to identify potentially affected plugins and ensure proper patch management processes are in place. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059 technique for command and control through scripting, while also aligning with T1548.003 for account access via credential dumping and session hijacking. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security training for administrators to reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities.