CVE-2016-10867 in all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall plugin before 4.0.6 for WordPress has XSS in settings pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The CVE-2016-10867 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall WordPress plugin, affecting versions prior to 4.0.6. This security weakness resides within the plugin's settings pages, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the administrative interface where users configure critical security parameters. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape user-supplied data before rendering it in the web interface. Attackers can exploit this flaw by injecting malicious scripts into plugin settings, which then execute in the context of other users' browsers who visit the affected pages. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This particular instance demonstrates how security plugins themselves can become attack vectors when not properly secured against input manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when administrators or authenticated users access the plugin's settings pages where user input is not adequately sanitized before being displayed in HTML contexts. The flaw likely exists in how the plugin processes form submissions or configuration parameters that are later rendered without proper HTML escaping or context-appropriate encoding. When an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or other XSS payloads and submits it through the plugin's configuration forms, the malicious code gets stored and subsequently executed whenever other users view the settings page. This creates a persistent threat where the attack payload can compromise user sessions, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims. The vulnerability operates under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and control through web shell execution, and T1548.002 for privilege escalation through compromised administrative interfaces. The attack surface is particularly concerning because security administrators who trust the plugin to protect their sites become the unwitting vector for attacks against their own networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10867 extends beyond simple script execution as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of WordPress installations that rely on this plugin for protection. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the administrative interface, potentially leading to complete site compromise through unauthorized plugin installations, theme modifications, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects not just the plugin's functionality but the entire WordPress ecosystem, as administrators may be tricked into submitting malicious input through social engineering or by visiting compromised sites that exploit the XSS vulnerability. The attack chain typically begins with an initial compromise through phishing or malicious site visits, followed by exploitation of the XSS vulnerability to establish a persistent backdoor. Organizations using this plugin face significant risk as the vulnerability can be leveraged to conduct session hijacking attacks, defacement of websites, or even to pivot to other systems within the network infrastructure. The impact is particularly severe because the plugin's purpose is security enhancement, making the vulnerability a prime target for attackers seeking to undermine the very protection it provides.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10867 require immediate action including updating the all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall plugin to version 4.0.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Administrators should also implement additional defensive measures such as monitoring for unauthorized changes to plugin configurations and conducting regular security audits of WordPress installations. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Network-based security controls including web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious input patterns that could indicate XSS attempts. Organizations should also establish secure coding practices for WordPress plugin development, ensuring that all user input is properly validated and escaped before being rendered in web contexts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping all WordPress plugins and themes updated, as outdated components remain common attack vectors for cybercriminals. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include examination of administrative interfaces for similar XSS vulnerabilities in other plugins and themes that may be present in the WordPress installation.