CVE-2015-9408 in xpinner-lite Pplugin
Summary
by MITRE
The xpinner-lite plugin through 2.2 for WordPress has wp-admin/options-general.php CSRF with resultant XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2023
The xpinner-lite plugin version 2.2 and earlier for WordPress contains a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that allows attackers to execute cross-site scripting attacks through the wp-admin/options-general.php administrative interface. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that exploits the lack of proper authentication checks and anti-CSRF token validation within the plugin's configuration management system.
The technical flaw resides in the plugin's failure to implement adequate CSRF protection mechanisms when processing administrative settings modifications through the WordPress options-general.php page. Attackers can craft malicious requests that, when executed by authenticated administrators, will modify plugin configurations and inject malicious JavaScript code into the administrative interface. The vulnerability stems from the absence of anti-CSRF tokens and proper request validation, allowing unauthorized modifications to be submitted through forged requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to gain persistent access to WordPress administrative interfaces through the exploitation of a single compromised session. Once an administrator visits a malicious page or clicks on a crafted link, the attacker can inject persistent XSS payloads that will execute in the context of the administrator's browser. This creates a potential for complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized modifications to website content or user accounts.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery issues in web applications. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to execute arbitrary code. The attack vector typically involves phishing campaigns or compromised websites that deliver malicious JavaScript payloads to administrators who then inadvertently submit requests that modify plugin configurations.
Mitigation strategies include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF vulnerability, implementing proper anti-CSRF token validation, and applying WordPress security hardening measures such as restricting administrative access through IP whitelisting and implementing multi-factor authentication. Additionally, administrators should regularly audit plugin configurations and monitor for unauthorized modifications to WordPress settings, while ensuring that all WordPress installations maintain current versions of core software and plugins to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.