CVE-2015-9425 in social-locker Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The social-locker plugin before 4.2.5 for WordPress has CSRF with resultant XSS via the wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=opanda-item&page=license-manager-sociallocker-next licensekey parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2015-9425 affects the social-locker plugin for WordPress versions prior to 4.2.5, representing a critical security flaw that combines cross-site request forgery with cross-site scripting capabilities. This vulnerability exists within the administrative interface of the plugin, specifically targeting the license manager functionality that handles social locker configurations. The flaw manifests through the wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=opanda-item&page=license-manager-sociallocker-next endpoint where the licensekey parameter is processed without adequate validation or anti-CSRF protection mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper CSRF tokens when processing license key updates through the administrative dashboard. An attacker can craft a malicious request that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, will modify the license key parameter without proper authorization. This creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's administrative interface, which then executes in the context of the administrator's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for persistent XSS attacks that can compromise the entire WordPress installation through the administrative interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. Since the affected parameter is processed within the WordPress admin area, successful exploitation could lead to complete administrative compromise of the website. Attackers could potentially install malware, modify content, steal user credentials, or manipulate plugin configurations to maintain persistent access. The vulnerability affects the social-locker plugin's license management system, which is critical for maintaining proper plugin functionality and preventing unauthorized usage. The combination of CSRF and XSS creates a particularly dangerous attack vector where an attacker can leverage a single compromised administrative session to execute multiple malicious actions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching to version 4.2.5 or later, which addresses the CSRF token implementation and input validation issues. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including role-based access controls, regular security audits, and monitoring of administrative interface access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery, and CWE-79, which covers cross-site scripting. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 for exploit public-facing application and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could use the XSS component to execute malicious commands. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regularly updating all WordPress plugins to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web infrastructure.