CVE-2015-9397 in gocodes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The gocodes plugin through 1.3.5 for WordPress has wp-admin/tools.php deletegc XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9397 affects the gocodes plugin version 1.3.5 and earlier for the WordPress content management system. This represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that specifically targets the wp-admin/tools.php endpoint within the plugin's administrative interface. The issue arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing it within the plugin's functionality.
The technical flaw manifests when an authenticated administrator or user with sufficient privileges accesses the tools.php page within the WordPress admin area. The vulnerability occurs because the plugin does not adequately filter or escape user input parameters that are subsequently rendered in the web page output. This allows malicious actors to inject malicious javascript code through the deletegc parameter, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers who visit the affected page. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only administrative privileges to exploit, making it accessible to attackers who have gained access to legitimate administrator accounts or have managed to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment.
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 further privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Attackers could leverage this XSS flaw to establish persistent access to the administrative interface, modify plugin configurations, or inject malicious code that could compromise the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability also poses risks to other users who may be tricked into visiting the compromised page, potentially leading to widespread compromise across the user base. This type of vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks that may target the underlying server infrastructure or other connected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9397 should prioritize immediate patching of the gocodes plugin to version 1.3.6 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring for unusual administrative activities, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls can help limit the potential damage if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1548.003 for Account Access Token Manipulation, as it can be used to gain unauthorized access to administrative sessions. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect outdated or vulnerable plugins within their WordPress installations. Regular security training for administrators regarding the risks of plugin vulnerabilities and the importance of keeping software updated remains crucial in preventing exploitation of similar issues.