CVE-2016-10706 in Jetpack Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Jetpack plugin before 4.0.3 for WordPress has XSS via a crafted Vimeo link.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10706 affects the Jetpack plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 4.0.3, and represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper input validation when processing Vimeo links. This flaw exists within the plugin's handling of media embeds and demonstrates a classic weakness in web application security where user-provided content is not adequately sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the widely used Vimeo video embedding functionality that many WordPress sites rely upon for multimedia content delivery.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from the Jetpack plugin's failure to properly escape or filter user input when processing Vimeo URLs within its media embedding system. When a user or attacker crafts a malicious Vimeo link containing malicious script code, the plugin processes this input without sufficient sanitization measures, allowing the embedded content to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of a victim's browser session. This occurs because the plugin directly incorporates user-supplied Vimeo URLs into HTML output without proper HTML escaping or context-appropriate filtering mechanisms that would prevent script execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize or incorrectly sanitizing user-provided data, specifically in the context of HTML output generation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities within the victim's browser context. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface web pages, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where administrators or trusted users might unknowingly click on maliciously crafted Vimeo links, as the attack can leverage the user's privileged permissions within the WordPress administration interface. This represents a significant risk to WordPress sites that rely on Jetpack for features such as site statistics, social sharing, and media management, as these features often involve embedding external content.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for the initial access phase, where malicious links are used to deliver payloads to victims. The remediation strategy involves updating the Jetpack plugin to version 4.0.3 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as content security policy headers, regular security audits of third-party plugins, and user education regarding the dangers of clicking untrusted links. The vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation and output escaping practices in web application development, particularly when dealing with user-generated content that gets embedded into web pages. Security teams should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a straightforward exploitation vector that could lead to complete compromise of affected WordPress installations.