CVE-2015-9401 in websimon-tables Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The websimon-tables plugin through 1.3.4 for WordPress has wp-admin/tools.php edit_style id XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2015-9401 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the websimon-tables plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions through 1.3.4. This issue resides in the wp-admin/tools.php endpoint where the edit_style parameter is processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated HTML content, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's handling of the edit_style identifier parameter within the WordPress administration interface. When administrators or users with appropriate privileges access the tools.php page and manipulate the edit_style parameter, the plugin fails to sanitize this input before rendering it in the browser context. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially compromising the entire WordPress administration environment. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and represents a classic server-side XSS vector that can be exploited through user interaction with the affected admin interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of an authenticated administrator session, potentially gaining full control over the WordPress installation. This includes the ability to modify content, create new administrator accounts, install malicious plugins, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the WordPress database. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction, as the vulnerability can be triggered through simple parameter manipulation in the URL, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently access plugin tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 1.3.5 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS flaw. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at the web application firewall level to detect and block suspicious parameter values in the edit_style field. Additionally, regular security audits of WordPress plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, with particular attention to plugins that handle administrative functions. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in plugin functionality, while also implementing proper output encoding practices that align with OWASP recommendations for preventing XSS attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with XSS exploitation attempts, as part of their broader defensive strategies against web application attacks.