CVE-2015-9459 in searchterms-tagging-2 Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The searchterms-tagging-2 plugin through 1.535 for WordPress has XSS via the wp-admin/options-general.php count parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2024
The CVE-2015-9459 vulnerability resides within the searchterms-tagging-2 plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions through 1.535. This issue represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that exploits improper input validation within the plugin's administrative interface. The vulnerability manifests when the count parameter in the wp-admin/options-general.php endpoint fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the administrative context. The flaw occurs in the plugin's handling of search term tagging functionality where the count parameter is directly incorporated into the page output without adequate sanitization or encoding measures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the standard XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or other executable code within the count parameter. When administrators navigate to the affected options page, the malicious code executes within their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of administrators, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability specifically targets the WordPress administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9459 extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. Administrators who visit the compromised options page become potential victims of session hijacking attacks, where attackers can capture authentication tokens and impersonate legitimate users. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for persistent XSS attacks that can remain active as long as the malicious input persists in the system. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through session hijacking and privilege escalation within the web application context. The attack surface is limited to WordPress installations using the affected plugin version, but the impact is significant due to the administrative nature of the vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9459 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the original vendor likely released patches to sanitize the count parameter input. Organizations should implement input validation measures at multiple layers including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads in the count parameter. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins should include verification of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that administrative functions are only accessible to authorized personnel with proper authentication mechanisms. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious activity in WordPress administrative interfaces and implementing content security policies can provide additional defense in depth against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all WordPress installations.