CVE-2015-9423 in PlugNedit Adaptive Editor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The PlugNedit Adaptive Editor plugin before 6.2.0 for WordPress has XSS via wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=simple_fields_field_type_post_dialog_load PlugneditBGColor, PlugneditEditorMargin, plugnedit_width, pnemedcount, or plugneditcontent parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2023
The CVE-2015-9423 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting weakness in the PlugNedit Adaptive Editor plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 6.2.0. This vulnerability exists within the administrative AJAX endpoint at wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and is triggered through the simple_fields_field_type_post_dialog_load action. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the editor interface by manipulating several parameters including PlugneditBGColor, PlugneditEditorMargin, plugnedit_width, pnemedcount, and plugneditcontent. These parameters are processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization, creating a vector for persistent cross-site scripting attacks that can compromise the WordPress administrative environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied parameters within the plugin's administrative interface. When administrators access the editor dialog through the specified AJAX endpoint, the plugin fails to properly escape or validate the input values from the affected parameters. This lack of input validation creates a condition where malicious actors can inject HTML or JavaScript code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers who access the affected administrative pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the WordPress admin area, where users typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions. According to CWE-79, this represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that occurs when untrusted data is directly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9423 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to administrative functions and sensitive data within WordPress installations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute malicious scripts that steal authentication cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated administrators. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of WordPress, making it a critical concern for any site using the affected plugin version. This weakness could enable attackers to escalate privileges, modify content, or even take complete control of WordPress installations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application vulnerability that could be leveraged for privilege escalation and persistence within compromised environments, particularly through the use of malicious script injection techniques that bypass standard security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9423 require immediate action to upgrade the PlugNedit Adaptive Editor plugin to version 6.2.0 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring for suspicious administrative activity, and ensuring that all WordPress components remain updated. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and output encoding practices as recommended by OWASP and other security standards, particularly when handling user-supplied data in administrative interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate other potential cross-site scripting vulnerabilities within WordPress installations and their associated plugins.