CVE-2016-10891 in aryo-activity-log Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The aryo-activity-log plugin before 2.3.3 for WordPress has XSS.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The CVE-2016-10891 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the aryo-activity-log plugin for WordPress systems prior to version 2.3.3. This vulnerability exposes WordPress installations to potential security risks through malicious script injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The aryo-activity-log plugin serves as a logging mechanism for tracking user activities within WordPress environments, making it a critical component for system monitoring and audit trails. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of user input data, where insufficient sanitization allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's response. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through web-based interfaces where user input is processed and displayed without proper validation. The vulnerability type aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical web application security weakness, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1213 which covers data from information repositories. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to steal user cookies, session tokens, and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The flaw particularly affects administrators and users who interact with the activity log functionality, as malicious scripts can execute in the context of their browsers. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices where user-supplied data is directly rendered into web pages without adequate sanitization or encoding. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in WordPress environments because administrators often have elevated privileges and the plugin may be used to monitor sensitive system activities. The XSS vulnerability can be exploited through various vectors including user comments, activity log entries, or any input field that accepts user data within the plugin's interface. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit the vulnerability by injecting JavaScript code into fields that are subsequently displayed to other users. The exploitation process typically involves creating a malicious input that contains script tags, which then executes in the victim's browser when they view the affected activity log entries. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to WordPress security posture as it allows for persistent XSS attacks that can maintain long-term access to compromised systems. The aryo-activity-log plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs creates an attack surface that can be leveraged for session hijacking, data exfiltration, and other malicious activities. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that activity logs often contain sensitive information about system usage and user behavior, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to gather intelligence. Organizations using vulnerable versions of this plugin face potential exposure to credential theft, unauthorized access to administrative functions, and data manipulation. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, as the flaw could have been prevented through standard security practices. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in WordPress plugins where insufficient sanitization leads to XSS vulnerabilities, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party components. The vulnerability underscores the critical nature of keeping WordPress plugins updated, as version 2.3.3 and later versions contain the necessary patches to address this specific XSS flaw. Organizations should implement regular security audits of their WordPress installations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other plugins. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete compromise of WordPress administrative functions, as attackers can leverage stolen sessions to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system configurations and user data. The vulnerability also affects the integrity of activity logs, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate audit trails and hide their malicious activities within the system. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on activity logs for security monitoring and compliance purposes. The technical implementation of the fix typically involves implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms to prevent script injection attacks. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability when conducting risk assessments for WordPress environments and ensure that all plugins are regularly updated to mitigate known security flaws. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices in web applications and the need for comprehensive security testing of all components within WordPress installations. Organizations should establish processes for monitoring plugin updates and security advisories to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities like CVE-2016-10891. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate exploitation to long-term security implications, as compromised systems may remain vulnerable to further attacks and data breaches.