CVE-2016-1000137 in hero-maps-pro Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Reflected XSS in wordpress plugin hero-maps-pro v2.1.0
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1000137 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the hero-maps-pro wordpress plugin version 2.1.0. This security weakness allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of user input parameters that are reflected back to users without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this reflected XSS vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to adequately validate and sanitize input data received from HTTP request parameters. When users visit pages that utilize the plugin's functionality, the application processes these parameters and incorporates them directly into the HTTP response without appropriate output encoding. This creates an environment where malicious actors can craft specially designed URLs containing script payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they access the vulnerable pages.
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, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation. Attackers can exploit this flaw to steal administrator credentials, modify website content, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject malware into the victim's browsing environment. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script payloads must be delivered through external means such as phishing emails, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns, as the attack requires users to click on crafted links containing the malicious code.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. The attack pattern follows typical reflected XSS methodologies documented in MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1566 for Phishing and T1531 for Account Access Removal. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the hero-maps-pro plugin face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where administrators or trusted users may inadvertently click on malicious links. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web application development, especially when handling user-supplied data that may be displayed in web responses.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the plugin to version 2.1.1 or later, which addresses the reflected XSS vulnerability through proper input sanitization and output encoding. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as web application firewalls, input validation rules, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting plugin capabilities and ensuring that only necessary functionality is enabled. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable components and maintain up-to-date inventory of all installed plugins and themes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in their web environments.