CVE-2016-10875 in wp-database-backup Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-database-backup plugin before 4.3.1 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The wp-database-backup plugin for WordPress contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects versions prior to 4.3.1, representing a critical security flaw in the content management system ecosystem. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user input and output sanitization mechanisms, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The issue manifests when the plugin processes backup-related data or configuration parameters without adequate validation or escaping of potentially harmful input.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping within the plugin's codebase, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that exploit the vulnerability when executed in a victim's browser context. This particular weakness aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in software applications. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a user's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The attack vector typically involves manipulating backup settings or parameters through crafted HTTP requests that are then reflected back to users without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this XSS vulnerability could potentially gain access to administrator sessions, modify backup configurations, or redirect users to malicious domains. This poses significant risks to WordPress installations that rely on the wp-database-backup plugin for their data management processes, particularly in environments where administrators perform backup operations through the web interface. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery, as users may unknowingly execute the malicious scripts when viewing backup-related pages.
Organizations using affected versions of the wp-database-backup plugin should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to version 4.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should review and implement proper input validation mechanisms, ensure all user-supplied data is properly escaped before output, and consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns related to backup operations, and regular security audits should verify that all WordPress plugins are running current, secure versions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date WordPress plugins and implementing comprehensive security practices to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in widely-used content management systems.