CVE-2015-9442 in avenirsoft-directdownload Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The avenirsoft-directdownload plugin 1.0 for WordPress has CSRF with resultant XSS via wp-admin/admin.php?page=avenir_plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2023
The CVE-2015-9442 vulnerability affects the avenirsoft-directdownload WordPress plugin version 1.0 and represents a critical security flaw that combines cross-site request forgery with cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability exists within the wp-admin/admin.php?page=avenir_plugin endpoint, which serves as the administrative interface for managing the plugin's functionality. The flaw allows attackers to execute malicious code on vulnerable systems by leveraging a CSRF attack vector that ultimately results in XSS execution, creating a dangerous chain of exploitation that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and lack of proper CSRF protection mechanisms within the plugin's administrative interface. When users navigate to the specified admin page, the plugin fails to implement adequate anti-CSRF tokens or other protective measures that would normally prevent unauthorized requests from being executed. This absence of validation allows attackers to craft malicious requests that, when executed by authenticated users, can inject malicious JavaScript code into the browser. The vulnerability specifically targets the wp-admin section of WordPress installations, which typically requires administrative privileges, making the potential impact significantly more severe.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for WordPress administrators and users who have access to the affected plugin. An attacker could exploit this flaw to inject malicious scripts that could steal user credentials, modify plugin settings, or even gain unauthorized access to the entire WordPress installation. The combination of CSRF and XSS creates a particularly dangerous attack vector because it allows for both unauthorized actions and persistent code execution. The attack could be delivered through phishing emails, compromised websites, or other social engineering techniques that trick administrators into visiting malicious pages while logged into their WordPress admin panels.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery, and CWE-79, which covers Cross-Site Scripting. These classifications highlight the dual nature of the flaw and its potential for causing widespread damage within WordPress environments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through web application attacks and persistence mechanisms that could be used to maintain access to compromised systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it operates within the administrative context of WordPress, where attackers can potentially modify core functionality or extract sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates or complete removal of the vulnerable avenirsoft-directdownload plugin from affected WordPress installations. Administrators should implement additional security measures including the use of security plugins that provide enhanced CSRF protection, regular monitoring of administrative interfaces for suspicious activities, and implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious requests. The WordPress community should also consider implementing strict access controls and multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts to reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that proper input validation and CSRF protection mechanisms are in place across their entire WordPress ecosystem.