CVE-2015-9405 in wp-piwik Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-piwik plugin before 1.0.5 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2023
The wp-piwik plugin vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that affected versions prior to 1.0.5 within the WordPress ecosystem. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user input parameters, specifically within the admin interface where configuration settings are managed. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with sufficient privileges to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's administrative pages, creating a persistent threat vector that could compromise the entire WordPress installation.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input fields within the wp-piwik plugin's configuration interface. When administrators access the plugin settings, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before rendering it back to the browser. This improper input validation creates an environment where malicious payloads can be executed in the context of the administrator's browser session. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.008 for script injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive administrative functions within the WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate plugin configurations, potentially redirecting traffic to malicious domains or injecting additional malicious code. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that wp-piwik is a popular analytics plugin, meaning that compromised installations could lead to widespread data exfiltration or further lateral movement within affected networks. The vulnerability's persistence is enhanced by the fact that it operates within the plugin's administrative interface, where legitimate administrative users regularly interact with the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to version 1.0.5 or later, which contain proper input sanitization measures. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all WordPress plugins remain current with security updates. Additional protective measures include restricting administrative privileges to essential personnel only, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output escaping in web applications, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles. Security teams should also consider implementing automated monitoring for suspicious administrative activities and establish clear protocols for plugin security assessment before deployment in production environments.