CVE-2015-9427 in googmonify Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The googmonify plugin through 0.5.1 for WordPress has CSRF with resultant XSS via the wp-admin/options-general.php?page=googmonify.php PID or AID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2023
The CVE-2015-9427 vulnerability resides within the googmonify WordPress plugin version 0.5.1 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that combines cross-site request forgery with cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. This issue specifically affects the plugin's administrative interface at wp-admin/options-general.php?page=googmonify.php where it fails to implement proper anti-CSRF protection mechanisms while simultaneously allowing unsanitized user input to be reflected in the response. The vulnerability manifests through two primary parameters PID and AID which are processed without adequate validation or token verification, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized administrative actions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link that triggers a CSRF attack. The attacker can manipulate the PID or AID parameters to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets executed in the context of the administrator's browser session. This dual nature of the vulnerability means that the CSRF vector allows the attacker to perform administrative actions without proper authorization, while the XSS component enables the execution of arbitrary code in the victim's browser, potentially leading to complete compromise of the WordPress installation. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery, and CWE-79, which addresses Cross-Site Scripting, both of which are fundamental security concerns in web application development.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to WordPress installations as it requires only a single authenticated user session to be compromised, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently visit external websites or are targeted through phishing campaigns. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify plugin configurations, inject malicious content, or even install backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the vulnerability exists within the WordPress administration panel, which typically has elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1548.001 for Abuse of Functionality, as it leverages legitimate administrative interfaces to execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9427 require immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF and XSS vulnerabilities, as the original affected versions have been superseded by patched releases. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent XSS exploitation, while also ensuring that all administrative interfaces utilize anti-CSRF tokens to prevent unauthorized actions. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious parameter manipulation patterns, and administrators should be trained to recognize potential social engineering attacks that could lead to exploitation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with rules specifically designed to detect and block CSRF attacks targeting WordPress admin interfaces would provide an additional layer of defense. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing proper session management controls in web applications, particularly those with administrative functionality.