CVE-2016-1000154 in Whizz Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Reflected XSS in wordpress plugin whizz v1.0.7
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1000154 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the whizz wordpress plugin version 1.0.7. This issue allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information or account takeovers. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of user input parameters, where insufficient validation and sanitization permits malicious payloads to be executed in the context of the victim's browser. The affected plugin's code fails to properly escape or filter data received through HTTP request parameters, creating an entry point for attackers to exploit the reflected XSS vulnerability. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the plugin's input parameters. When a victim clicks on this crafted link, the malicious script is reflected back from the web server and executed in the victim's browser context. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious script is not stored on the server but is instead executed immediately upon the victim's interaction with the malicious link. The whizz plugin version 1.0.7 lacks proper input validation mechanisms and output encoding, allowing attackers to inject javascript code that can access cookies, session tokens, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1000154 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised user's browser environment. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to execute persistent scripts that capture user credentials, manipulate web page content, or establish backdoor connections to command and control servers. The vulnerability affects the entire wordpress ecosystem where the whizz plugin is installed, potentially compromising multiple user accounts if the plugin is widely deployed. Given that wordpress plugins often have elevated privileges within the web application, successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of user accounts or even server-level access. The vulnerability also poses risks to user trust and brand reputation as users may unknowingly interact with malicious links that appear legitimate.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1000154 should prioritize immediate patching of the whizz plugin to version 1.0.8 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against reflected XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security measures should include regular vulnerability scanning of wordpress installations, monitoring for suspicious user activities, and maintaining up-to-date security practices. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1566 for social engineering attacks that leverage XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit reflected XSS vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing during plugin development and the need for regular security audits of third-party components used in web applications.