CVE-2016-10866 in all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall plugin before 4.2.0 for WordPress has multiple XSS issues.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The CVE-2016-10866 vulnerability affects the all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 4.2.0, and represents a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that poses significant security risks to WordPress installations. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The issue impacts the plugin's administrative interface and various frontend components where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses. These XSS vulnerabilities can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions.
The technical flaw manifests through multiple vectors within the plugin's code where user input flows directly into HTML output without appropriate sanitization or encoding. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic case of improper neutralization of input during web page generation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious payloads that exploit the plugin's handling of parameters in administrative forms, user profile modifications, or other interactive elements. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because it affects a widely used security plugin, meaning that exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges within the WordPress environment, potentially allowing them to bypass the very security measures the plugin is designed to enforce.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise entire WordPress installations. An attacker who successfully exploits these XSS vulnerabilities could establish persistent access through session manipulation, inject backdoors into the website, or manipulate the plugin's security features to disable protective measures. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario where malicious actors can undermine the security infrastructure that site administrators rely upon for protection. The vulnerability also poses risks to user privacy and data integrity, as attackers can capture sensitive information transmitted through the affected plugin's interfaces, potentially accessing user credentials, configuration settings, or other confidential data. Additionally, the exploitation of these vulnerabilities can lead to defacement of websites, injection of malicious content, or redirection to phishing sites that further compromise user trust and security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10866 require immediate action to upgrade the all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall plugin to version 4.2.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including regular security audits of WordPress plugins, implementation of web application firewalls, and monitoring of suspicious user activities within the administrative interface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping all WordPress components updated and highlights the risks associated with third-party plugins that may not follow proper security coding practices. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, and establish comprehensive incident response procedures to quickly address potential exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of WordPress installations can help identify similar issues in other plugins or themes that may present comparable security risks to the overall system security posture.