CVE-2015-9420 in soundcloud-is-gold Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The soundcloud-is-gold plugin before 2.3.2 for WordPress has XSS via the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=get_soundcloud_player id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2023
The soundcloud-is-gold plugin for WordPress contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects versions prior to 232. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of the id parameter in the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=get_soundcloud_player endpoint. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with sufficient privileges to inject malicious scripts into the WordPress admin interface through a crafted id parameter value. The vulnerability specifically targets the admin-ajax.php endpoint which is commonly used for handling asynchronous requests in WordPress, making it a critical attack vector for privilege escalation and persistent malicious code execution within the WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's processing logic. When the get_soundcloud_player action is invoked through the admin-ajax.php endpoint, the plugin fails to properly sanitize the id parameter before incorporating it into the response. This lack of proper sanitization creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes within the context of the administrator's browser session. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or encoding. The attack requires an authenticated user with appropriate privileges to access the WordPress admin area, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a direct public exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform actions within the WordPress admin environment that are typically restricted to authorized users. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify plugin settings, upload malicious files, manipulate content, or potentially escalate privileges further within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability's presence in the admin-ajax.php endpoint means that attackers can leverage legitimate WordPress functionality to execute malicious code without triggering typical security mechanisms that might detect direct file uploads or unusual network activity. This makes the attack more stealthy and harder to detect within security monitoring systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to version 2.3.2 or later of the soundcloud-is-gold plugin where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output sanitization. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting access to the admin-ajax.php endpoint through firewall rules or web application firewalls, implementing strict content security policies, and regularly auditing plugin installations for outdated or vulnerable components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers command and scripting interpreter for executing malicious scripts through web-based interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management controls and monitoring for unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checking for outdated WordPress plugins and themes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.