CVE-2015-9498 in wps-hide-login Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wps-hide-login plugin before 1.1 for WordPress has CSRF that affects saving an option value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
The CVE-2015-9498 vulnerability resides within the wps-hide-login plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.1. This security flaw represents a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that fundamentally compromises the integrity of administrative operations within WordPress environments. The vulnerability manifests when users with administrative privileges attempt to save option values through the plugin's interface, creating a dangerous scenario where malicious actors can manipulate these settings without proper authorization. The flaw directly impacts the plugin's ability to validate the authenticity of requests, allowing attackers to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate administrators.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper request validation mechanisms. When administrators access the plugin's settings page and submit changes to option values, the system does not verify that the request originates from a legitimate administrative session. This absence of anti-CSRF tokens or proper origin validation creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can craft malicious requests that appear to come from authenticated users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the plugin's administrative functionality, making it particularly dangerous in environments where WordPress administrators frequently access the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9498 extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it can enable attackers to fundamentally alter the security posture of WordPress installations. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially disable security features, modify login configurations, or redirect users to malicious sites through the compromised plugin settings. The attack vector typically involves tricking an authenticated administrator into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a crafted link that automatically submits requests to the vulnerable plugin. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery weaknesses in web applications, and represents a classic example of how plugin-level vulnerabilities can compromise entire content management systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate plugin updates to version 1.1 or later, where the developers have implemented proper CSRF protection mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as network-level protections, web application firewalls, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1212 technique for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security monitoring. Administrators should maintain updated inventories of all installed plugins and regularly review plugin security advisories to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising their WordPress environments. The remediation process requires not only updating the vulnerable plugin but also ensuring that all administrative sessions are properly validated through secure authentication mechanisms.