CVE-2016-10898 in total-security Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The total-security plugin before 3.4.1 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2023
The CVE-2016-10898 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the total-security plugin for WordPress systems prior to version 3.4.1. This security weakness specifically affects the plugin's handling of user input and output sanitization mechanisms, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of data passed through various parameters within the plugin's administrative interfaces and frontend components, allowing attackers to exploit the system through crafted malicious input vectors.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in HTML output contexts. Attackers can leverage this flaw by submitting malicious payloads through form fields, URL parameters, or other input points that the plugin processes without adequate security controls. The vulnerability manifests as reflected XSS when the malicious script executes in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of compromised user sessions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to WordPress installations through compromised administrator or user accounts. When exploited successfully, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code within the browser context of authenticated users, potentially enabling them to perform actions on behalf of those users including modifying content, accessing sensitive administrative functions, or exfiltrating data. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that WordPress plugins often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system components, making this vulnerability a significant risk to overall system security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10898 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 3.4.1 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including input validation, output encoding, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing to ensure that the updated plugin functions correctly while maintaining security posture. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and credential access, emphasizing the need for both preventive measures and monitoring capabilities to detect potential exploitation attempts.