CVE-2016-1000155 in wpsolr-search-engine Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Reflected XSS in wordpress plugin wpsolr-search-engine v7.6
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2016-1000155 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the wpsolr-search-engine WordPress plugin version 7.6. This security weakness resides within the plugin's handling of user input parameters, specifically affecting how the software processes and displays search query strings. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited through carefully crafted URLs. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's search functionality, which fails to properly sanitize user-provided data before incorporating it into HTML responses. This particular vulnerability affects WordPress environments where the wpsolr plugin is installed and actively used, making it a significant concern for website administrators who rely on search functionality for their content management systems.
The technical exploitation of this reflected XSS vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing JavaScript payload within the search parameter of the affected WordPress site. When a victim clicks on this crafted link, the malicious script executes in the victim's browser within the context of the vulnerable website. The flaw manifests because the plugin does not adequately escape or filter user input before rendering it in web responses, allowing attackers to inject HTML tags and JavaScript code that gets executed when other users browse the affected pages. This vulnerability specifically targets the search engine functionality of the wpsolr plugin, where search terms are processed and displayed to users, creating a direct pathway for code injection attacks. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload is not stored on the server but rather reflected back to the user through the web application's response, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through email links, social media posts, or other means of user interaction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web content, and redirection to malicious websites. An attacker could potentially steal administrator cookies or session tokens, allowing them to assume administrative privileges on the compromised WordPress site. The vulnerability also poses risks to user data privacy, as attackers could capture sensitive information entered by users through forms or other interactive elements on the site. Additionally, the reflected nature of the attack means that the vulnerability can be exploited repeatedly without requiring persistent storage on the target server, making it particularly challenging to detect and mitigate. Organizations using the wpsolr plugin version 7.6 face potential reputational damage, data breaches, and compliance violations if this vulnerability remains unpatched, especially in environments handling sensitive information or regulated data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1000155 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected wpsolr plugin to version 7.7 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement proper input validation and output encoding measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other custom or third-party plugins. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other WordPress plugins and themes. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit XSS vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of how improper input handling can lead to severe security consequences. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communications and credential access, as attackers can leverage XSS to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Proper security hygiene including regular updates, input sanitization, and security monitoring remains essential for preventing exploitation of such vulnerabilities in WordPress environments.