CVE-2015-9426 in manual-image-crop Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The manual-image-crop plugin before 1.11 for WordPress has CSRF with resultant XSS via the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=mic_editor_window postId parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2015-9426 affects the manual-image-crop plugin version 1.10 and earlier for WordPress platforms, representing a critical security flaw that combines cross-site request forgery with cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability exists within the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint where the plugin processes requests through the mic_editor_window action parameter. The flaw specifically targets the postId parameter which is processed without adequate validation or authentication checks, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate image cropping functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and lack of proper authentication verification within the plugin's administrative interface. When a malicious user crafts a crafted request to the admin-ajax.php endpoint with the mic_editor_window action and a manipulated postId parameter, the plugin fails to verify whether the request originates from an authenticated administrator. This absence of proper access control validation enables attackers to execute unauthorized administrative actions, particularly targeting the image cropping functionality that should be restricted to authorized users only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it creates a persistent vector for malicious activity within WordPress installations. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious JavaScript code through the image cropping interface, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further compromise of the WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects any WordPress site running the vulnerable plugin version, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread adoption of WordPress as a content management system. The combination of CSRF and XSS elements means that attackers can not only perform unauthorized actions but also establish persistent malicious code execution within the browser context of authenticated users.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery issues, and CWE-79, which covers cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The attack pattern follows typical ATT&CK techniques categorized under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering. Organizations should immediately update to plugin version 1.11 or later, which includes proper authentication checks and input validation for the affected parameters. Additionally, administrators should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and monitor for suspicious requests to the admin-ajax.php endpoint. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes, along with maintaining updated security protocols, are essential defensive measures against similar vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing robust authentication mechanisms in administrative interfaces to prevent unauthorized access and malicious code injection attacks.