CVE-2015-9421 in olevmedia-shortcodes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The olevmedia-shortcodes plugin before 1.1.9 for WordPress has CSRF with resultant XSS via the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=omsc_popup id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9421 affects the olevmedia-shortcodes plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 1.1.9, creating a dangerous combination of cross-site request forgery and cross-site scripting flaws. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of administrative AJAX requests through the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint, where the id parameter becomes a vector for exploitation. The flaw represents a critical security risk that allows attackers to manipulate the plugin's functionality through maliciously crafted requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and lack of proper authentication checks within the plugin's administrative interface. When the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=omsc_popup endpoint processes the id parameter, it fails to properly sanitize or validate user input before incorporating it into dynamic content generation. This omission creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute within the context of authenticated admin sessions, as the vulnerability leverages existing administrative privileges through CSRF mechanisms. The id parameter becomes a direct conduit for script injection, allowing threat actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the browser of any user who visits a maliciously crafted page or interacts with compromised content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with persistent access to administrative functions within the WordPress environment. Successful exploitation enables attackers to manipulate plugin settings, modify content, install malicious plugins, or even escalate privileges to fully compromise the WordPress installation. The combination of CSRF and XSS creates a particularly dangerous attack surface since attackers can leverage existing administrative sessions to perform actions that would normally require direct authentication. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery, and CWE-79, which addresses Cross-Site Scripting, creating a compound weakness that amplifies the attack vector's effectiveness. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as attackers can execute JavaScript code through the XSS component.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.1.9 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and authentication checks. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including strict content security policies, regular security audits of installed plugins, and monitoring of administrative AJAX endpoints for suspicious activity. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameter, while security headers including Content-Security-Policy can provide additional defense-in-depth. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access controls and regular security training for administrators to reduce the risk of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing proper authentication mechanisms, particularly for administrative functions, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 security principles.