CVE-2015-9444 in altos-connect Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The altos-connect plugin 1.3.0 for WordPress has XSS via the wp-content/plugins/altos-connect/jquery-validate/demo/demo/captcha/index.php/ PATH_SELF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2023
The CVE-2015-9444 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the altos-connect WordPress plugin version 1.3.0, specifically manifesting in the jquery-validate demo component. This vulnerability arises from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the plugin's handling of the PATH_SELF parameter. The affected file path wp-content/plugins/altos-connect/jquery-validate/demo/demo/captcha/index.php demonstrates a classic injection vector where user-controllable input is directly incorporated into web responses without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where the plugin fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in the browser context, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that gets processed through the vulnerable PATH_SELF parameter and subsequently rendered in the web page context. This creates a persistent XSS attack surface where the attacker can execute scripts in the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input before using it in web output, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in parameter handling and output encoding, where the plugin does not implement proper contextual output escaping for different execution contexts such as HTML attributes, JavaScript code, or URL parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through session manipulation, steal administrator credentials, or modify plugin configurations. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate plugin functionality but also poses risks to the broader WordPress installation, potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks or lateral movement within the network. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the demo component of a validation library, suggesting that the vulnerability could be exploited even in environments where the primary plugin functionality is not directly exposed to user input. This makes the vulnerability more widespread and harder to detect, as it may not be immediately apparent during routine security assessments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9444 should include immediate plugin updates to versions that properly sanitize input parameters and implement proper output encoding practices. Administrators must ensure that all WordPress plugins are regularly updated and that the plugin is removed if no longer needed or if updates are not available. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution and limiting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Input validation should be strengthened to reject potentially malicious payloads, and output encoding should be applied contextually based on where the data will be rendered. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious patterns in web requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns targeting known XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins or custom code implementations, ensuring comprehensive protection against cross-site scripting attacks throughout the WordPress ecosystem.