CVE-2015-9404 in neuvoo-jobroll Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The neuvoo-jobroll plugin 2.0 for WordPress has neuvoo_keywords XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2023
The CVE-2015-9404 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the neuvoo-jobroll plugin version 2.0 for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of user input in the neuvoo_keywords parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the web application's response. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase, allowing attackers to exploit the XSS weakness through crafted malicious payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes user-supplied keywords without proper sanitization measures. When a user submits job search terms or keywords through the plugin's interface, the input is directly incorporated into the HTML response without appropriate encoding or filtering. This creates a persistent XSS vector where an attacker can inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected content. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, making it a critical security concern for any WordPress installation utilizing this plugin.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9404 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft a payload that steals administrator cookies or session tokens, potentially gaining full control over the compromised WordPress site. The vulnerability also allows for defacement of the website content, data exfiltration, and the ability to establish persistent backdoors within the affected system. Given that WordPress is one of the most widely used content management systems, the potential attack surface is extensive, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9404 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the original plugin version 2.0 contains the flaw. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in the future, following secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations. Additionally, administrators should conduct regular security audits of installed plugins, ensuring that all third-party components are kept up-to-date with the latest security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter sanitization and input validation, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's application security category, where such flaws can be leveraged for privilege escalation and persistent access within compromised environments.