CVE-2016-1000148 in s3-video Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Reflected XSS in wordpress plugin s3-video v0.983
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2016-1000148 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the s3-video wordpress plugin version 0.983. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's ability to properly escape and filter parameters that are reflected back to users in the web application's response. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script tags or javascript code within the plugin's parameter handling, the malicious payload gets executed in the victim's browser context. This occurs because the plugin fails to implement proper security measures to prevent malicious code from being interpreted as legitimate content by web browsers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input before using it in web output, making it a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious URL that includes javascript code within the s3-video plugin's parameter handling mechanism. The plugin's code does not properly escape or filter user input before incorporating it into HTML output, allowing an attacker to inject malicious scripts that execute when a victim visits the crafted URL. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the web application's normal response handling without being stored on the server. This attack vector is particularly dangerous in wordpress environments where administrators and users may be tricked into clicking malicious links through social engineering or phishing campaigns. The vulnerability affects the plugin's configuration pages and potentially its front-end functionality where user input parameters are processed and displayed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. In wordpress environments, this could lead to unauthorized access to administrative functions, content manipulation, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability particularly affects wordpress installations that rely on the s3-video plugin for video hosting functionality, as these systems become susceptible to client-side attacks that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate to full system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access patterns or to conduct more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, data manipulation, or redirection to malicious domains. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the attack requires user interaction, typically through email links or social media posts, making it a prevalent vector for targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1000148 include immediate patching of the s3-video plugin to version 0.984 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and output sanitization fixes. Administrators should also implement proper content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, utilize web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conduct regular security audits of installed plugins to identify vulnerable components. Additionally, user education regarding suspicious links and email attachments can help reduce successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering tactics used to gain initial access through malicious links, and T1059 which covers the execution of malicious code through compromised web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect outdated plugins and report on security issues within their wordpress installations. Regular updates to wordpress core, themes, and plugins remain essential defensive measures against such reflected cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.