CVE-2015-9495 in syndication-links Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The syndication-links plugin before 1.0.3 for WordPress has XSS via the genericons/example.html anchor identifier.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
The CVE-2015-9495 vulnerability affects the syndication-links plugin for WordPress versions prior to 1.0.3, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that exploits the plugin's handling of the genericons/example.html anchor identifier. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's code structure where it fails to properly sanitize user input or contextually appropriate data when rendering anchor elements. The issue manifests when the plugin processes the example.html file path that contains an anchor identifier, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the syndication-links plugin's implementation. When the plugin processes the genericons/example.html file path, it fails to adequately sanitize the anchor identifier parameter, allowing malicious payloads to be embedded within the URL structure. This weakness enables attackers to craft malicious URLs that, when accessed by authenticated users, execute unauthorized JavaScript code in their browser sessions. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of anchor identifiers within the genericons directory structure, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through legitimate plugin functionality that users might encounter during normal site administration or content management activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to steal administrator credentials, modify content, or inject malicious code into the site that persists across user sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a plugin that may be widely used and often requires administrative privileges to configure, providing attackers with potential access to sensitive site management functions. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting vulnerability, specifically manifesting as a stored XSS condition where malicious scripts are stored on the server and executed when other users access the affected page.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9495 focus primarily on immediate plugin updates to version 1.0.3 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability through proper input sanitization and output encoding. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including content security policy headers to limit script execution, regular security audits of installed plugins, and monitoring for suspicious activity related to the syndication-links plugin. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access through web application vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security practices including regular patch management and input validation controls. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability pattern, while maintaining awareness of similar XSS vulnerabilities in other WordPress plugins that may present comparable attack vectors.