CVE-2015-9431 in qtranslate-x Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The qtranslate-x plugin before 3.4.4 for WordPress has CSRF with resultant XSS via the wp-admin/options-general.php?page=qtranslate-x json_config_files or json_custom_i18n_config parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2023
The qtranslate-x plugin vulnerability CVE-2015-9431 represents a critical security flaw in the widely used WordPress multilingual plugin that affected versions prior to 3.4.4. This vulnerability combines cross-site request forgery and cross-site scripting elements, creating a particularly dangerous attack vector for WordPress administrators. The flaw resides within the plugin's handling of configuration parameters in the WordPress admin interface, specifically targeting the options-general.php page with the qtranslate-x plugin parameters. Attackers could exploit this weakness to manipulate the plugin's configuration settings while simultaneously executing malicious JavaScript code in the context of an authenticated administrator's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and lack of proper anti-CSRF protection mechanisms within the plugin's admin interface. When administrators navigate to the qtranslate-x configuration pages, the plugin processes the json_config_files or json_custom_i18n_config parameters without adequate sanitization or CSRF token verification. This oversight allows attackers to craft malicious requests that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, can modify the plugin's configuration data structures. The JSON-based configuration parameters are particularly vulnerable because they are often processed directly without proper escaping or validation, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets executed when the configuration is loaded or saved.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration manipulation, as it provides attackers with a pathway to establish persistent malicious presence within WordPress installations. Once an administrator is tricked into visiting a malicious page or clicking on a crafted link, the attacker can modify the plugin's configuration to redirect traffic, inject malicious code into pages, or even establish backdoor access points. The combination of CSRF and XSS creates a powerful attack chain where an attacker first uses CSRF to modify the plugin configuration and then leverages the resulting XSS to execute arbitrary code in the administrator's browser context, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability affects not only the plugin's functionality but also the broader WordPress security posture of affected installations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to qtranslate-x version 3.4.4 or later, which includes proper input validation and CSRF protection measures. Additionally, administrators should review their WordPress plugin ecosystem for similar vulnerabilities and consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter manipulation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which covers Cross-Site Request Forgery, and CWE-79, which addresses Cross-Site Scripting, demonstrating how multiple security weaknesses can compound to create more severe threats. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through web application manipulation, highlighting the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring for WordPress environments.