CVE-2015-9437 in dynamic-widgets Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The dynamic-widgets plugin before 1.5.11 for WordPress has CSRF with resultant XSS via the wp-admin/themes.php?page=dynwid-config page_limit parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The CVE-2015-9437 vulnerability affects the dynamic-widgets WordPress plugin version 1.5.10 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that combines cross-site request forgery with cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's administrative interface at the wp-admin/themes.php?page=dynwid-config page_limit parameter, creating a dangerous attack vector that allows malicious actors to exploit the system through unauthorized administrative actions.
The technical flaw manifests as a CSRF vulnerability that enables attackers to manipulate the page_limit parameter in the dynamic-widgets configuration page. When an authenticated administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a compromised link, the attacker can submit forged requests that modify the plugin's configuration settings. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous because the page_limit parameter is not properly validated or sanitized, allowing arbitrary input to be processed directly within the administrative context. This flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets executed in the context of the administrator's browser, creating a persistent XSS vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary code within the WordPress administrative environment. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can gain full administrative privileges over the affected WordPress site, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack requires minimal user interaction since it only needs the administrator to visit a malicious page while authenticated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently browse external websites. The XSS payload can be used to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify content, or even install backdoors for persistent access.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which describes Cross-Site Request Forgery, and CWE-79, which covers Cross-Site Scripting, demonstrating how a single flaw can create multiple attack vectors. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and T1548.001 for Abuse of Functionality, as attackers can leverage the administrative interface to execute malicious code. The attack chain typically involves initial access through social engineering or compromised websites, followed by exploitation of the CSRF vulnerability to inject malicious JavaScript code that persists in the administrative interface.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 1.5.11 or later, which includes proper CSRF token validation and input sanitization for the page_limit parameter. Administrators should implement additional security measures such as role-based access controls, regular security audits, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. Network-level protections including web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameter. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of input validation and CSRF protection mechanisms, particularly for WordPress plugins that handle administrative configuration settings. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and ensure all WordPress plugins are kept current with security patches to prevent exploitation of similar flaws in the future.