CVE-2015-9396 in auto-thickbox-plus Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The auto-thickbox-plus plugin through 1.9 for WordPress has wp-content/plugins/auto-thickbox-plus/download.min.php?file= XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The CVE-2015-9396 vulnerability resides within the auto-thickbox-plus WordPress plugin version 1.9 and earlier, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected websites. This vulnerability specifically targets the download.min.php file within the plugin's directory structure, where the file parameter is not properly sanitized before being processed and returned to users. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to neutralize malicious payload data submitted through the file parameter. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited by crafting malicious URLs that include script tags or other harmful code within the file parameter, which then gets executed when users access the vulnerable plugin endpoint.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic XSS attack pattern where the malicious input flows from user-supplied data directly into the web application's output without proper sanitization. The download.min.php script processes the file parameter without implementing adequate security controls such as input validation, output encoding, or content security policies. This flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the browser context of authenticated users who visit the compromised page. The vulnerability affects any WordPress installation running the auto-thickbox-plus plugin version 1.9 or earlier, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the platform. The attack vector is typically initiated through phishing emails, compromised websites, or social engineering tactics that direct users to malicious URLs containing the crafted XSS payload.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9396 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to compromised sites, potentially gaining administrative privileges or using stolen session cookies to impersonate legitimate users. The vulnerability also poses risks to user data integrity, as malicious scripts can capture form submissions, manipulate page content, or redirect users to malicious domains. In enterprise environments, this flaw could compromise the entire WordPress infrastructure, especially when multiple plugins and themes are installed, creating additional attack surfaces. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it affects a widely used plugin, increasing the potential attack surface and making successful exploitation more likely. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9396 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the original plugin developers have released patches to resolve the issue. Organizations should implement input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly focusing on the file parameter in the download.min.php endpoint. Output encoding controls should be strengthened to ensure that any dynamic content is properly escaped before being rendered in web browsers. Network-based security controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring for suspicious patterns in HTTP requests targeting the vulnerable plugin endpoint. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other installed plugins and themes. The implementation of content security policies can prevent unauthorized script execution even if other security controls fail. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for phishing techniques, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely updates of all WordPress components and reduce the window of exposure to known vulnerabilities.