CVE-2016-10900 in uji-countdown Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The uji-countdown plugin before 2.0.7 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2023
The uji-countdown plugin for WordPress prior to version 2.0.7 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users. This vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of user input within countdown timer functionalities, creating an entry point for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code in the context of a victim's browser session. The issue stems from insufficient sanitization and validation of input parameters that are processed and rendered within the plugin's user interface components.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The flaw occurs when the plugin fails to properly escape and validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input through the plugin's configuration interfaces or shortcode parameters, which are then rendered without proper sanitization in the browser. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's countdown timer display functionality where user-provided values such as timer labels, descriptions, or other configurable elements are not adequately filtered.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious domains. When a victim visits a WordPress page containing the vulnerable plugin with maliciously crafted input, their browser executes the injected scripts, potentially compromising their session cookies and allowing unauthorized access to their WordPress account. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through multiple vectors including administrative interfaces, frontend displays, and shortcode parameters, making it difficult to fully mitigate without proper input validation. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to version 2.0.7 or later where the XSS flaws have been addressed through proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Administrators should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution contexts and monitor for unusual plugin behavior or unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly the prevention of XSS vulnerabilities through proper sanitization of user inputs and secure coding practices that ensure all dynamic content is properly escaped before rendering. Additionally, regular security audits of WordPress plugins and maintaining updated security practices can prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.