CVE-2015-9385 in quotes-and-tips Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The quotes-and-tips plugin before 1.20 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The CVE-2015-9385 vulnerability affects the quotes-and-tips plugin for WordPress versions prior to 1.20, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that exposes WordPress installations to potential exploitation. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user input, specifically in how it processes and displays quote and tip content without proper sanitization mechanisms. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's output, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the plugin's codebase. When users submit quotes or tips through the WordPress admin interface, the plugin fails to properly sanitize the input before storing and rendering it on the front end. This creates an environment where malicious actors can embed javascript code within their submissions, which gets executed when other users browse pages containing the vulnerable content. The vulnerability manifests as a classic reflected XSS attack vector, where the malicious payload is stored server-side and executed when users access the affected pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive cookies, and potentially gain unauthorized access to WordPress administrative functions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious domains. The vulnerability affects not only the plugin's functionality but also the broader WordPress installation, as it allows for privilege escalation and persistent malicious code execution. Given that many WordPress sites rely on third-party plugins for extended functionality, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to the overall security posture of affected installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9385 include immediate patching to version 1.20 or later of the quotes-and-tips plugin, which addresses the core sanitization issues. System administrators should also implement proper input validation at multiple layers, including server-side sanitization and output encoding to prevent script injection. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious content. Organizations should conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities, implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and establish robust monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized modifications to plugin files. Regular security updates and patch management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities in the broader WordPress ecosystem.