CVE-2015-9386 in mtouch-quiz Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The mtouch-quiz plugin before 3.1.3 for WordPress has XSS via the quiz parameter during a Quiz Manage operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9386 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the mtouch-quiz WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.1.3. This security weakness resides in the plugin's handling of user input during quiz management operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into the web application's response. The vulnerability manifests when the quiz parameter is processed without adequate sanitization or output encoding, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers who interact with the affected plugin functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the quiz parameter during Quiz Manage operations, which are typically administrative functions used to create, edit, or delete quiz content. When administrators or authenticated users navigate to the quiz management interface and interact with the affected parameter, the malicious script code becomes embedded in the page response and executes in the victim's browser context. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in web applications that allow attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain administrative access to the WordPress site, modify quiz content to distribute malware, or redirect users to malicious websites. The attack requires minimal privileges since it targets the quiz management functionality that is typically accessible to authenticated users with appropriate permissions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators have access to the plugin. This vulnerability also represents a significant risk to user privacy and data integrity, as it allows attackers to monitor user interactions and potentially steal sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9386 should prioritize immediate patching of the mtouch-quiz plugin to version 3.1.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly parameters used in administrative functions. Output encoding should be implemented to ensure that any potentially malicious content is rendered harmless when displayed in web pages. Security monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious parameter values and unusual administrative activities. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting access to quiz management functions to only those users who require such capabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and the critical nature of validating all user inputs as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application security, particularly in the context of privilege escalation and credential theft techniques.