CVE-2016-1000141 in page-layout-builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Reflected XSS in wordpress plugin page-layout-builder v1.9.3
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1000141 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the page-layout-builder wordpress plugin version 1.9.3. This issue occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of parameters passed through HTTP requests, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary javascript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload must be crafted to be included in a URL or form submission that gets immediately reflected back to the victim's browser without any permanent storage on the server side.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. Attackers can construct malicious URLs containing javascript payloads that, when visited by authenticated users with sufficient privileges, execute arbitrary code in their browser sessions. This could enable session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability exists because the plugin does not adequately filter or escape user input before rendering it in HTML output contexts, creating a direct pathway for malicious code execution. The specific version affected, 1.9.3, indicates this was a known issue that had not yet been patched in the plugin's codebase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to potentially compromise entire wordpress installations and user accounts. When authenticated users visit maliciously crafted URLs, their browser sessions become vulnerable to manipulation, potentially allowing attackers to perform actions on behalf of victims with their privileges. This could result in unauthorized content modification, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors within the wordpress environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that wordpress plugins often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in input validation and output sanitization that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links, and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.9.4 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. System administrators should also implement proper input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security audits. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that wordpress users have minimal necessary permissions and that plugin installations are regularly reviewed for security compliance. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious user activities and implementing security headers such as Content-Security-Policy can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect similar issues in other plugins and themes within their wordpress installations.