CVE-2016-10877 in wp-editor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-editor plugin before 1.2.6.3 for WordPress has multiple XSS issues.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The wp-editor plugin for WordPress prior to version 1.2.6.3 contained multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that exposed WordPress installations to significant security risks. These vulnerabilities arose from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase, creating attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of affected websites. The plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data during processing and rendering operations created persistent XSS flaws that could be leveraged to compromise user sessions and perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The technical implementation of these vulnerabilities stemmed from the plugin's inadequate handling of user input in various contexts including form fields, configuration parameters, and dynamic content generation. Attackers could craft malicious payloads that would be stored and subsequently executed when legitimate users accessed affected pages. The vulnerability landscape was particularly concerning because it affected the core editing functionality of WordPress, meaning that any user with sufficient privileges to access the editor could become a vector for exploitation. The lack of proper context-aware sanitization meant that malicious scripts could be injected into HTML output, cookies, and other sensitive areas where user data was processed.
The operational impact of these XSS vulnerabilities extended beyond simple script execution, as they could enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, modify content, or redirect users to malicious websites. In WordPress environments where administrators or editors had access to the wp-editor plugin, attackers could potentially escalate their privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerabilities were particularly dangerous because they could be exploited through legitimate user interactions, making detection and prevention more challenging. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting, which specifically addresses the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for these vulnerabilities required immediate patching to version 1.2.6.3 or later, which included comprehensive input validation and output sanitization measures. Organizations should have implemented additional security controls such as content security policies to limit script execution, regular security audits of installed plugins, and monitoring for suspicious activity. The ATT&CK framework categorizes these vulnerabilities under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web shells and script injection techniques that could be employed through XSS exploitation. Security teams should have conducted thorough vulnerability assessments of all WordPress plugins and maintained updated security baselines to prevent similar issues in the future, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web application development.