CVE-2016-10919 in WassUp plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wassup plugin before 1.9.1 for WordPress has XSS via the Top stats widget or the wassupURI::add_siteurl method, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-2633.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The wassup plugin for WordPress contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects versions prior to 1.9.1, presenting a significant security risk to WordPress installations. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the Top stats widget functionality and the wassupURI::add_siteurl method, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the plugin's output. Unlike CVE-2012-2633 which addressed a different XSS flaw in the same plugin, this particular vulnerability demonstrates the persistent nature of security issues in WordPress plugins and the importance of thorough code review processes. The vulnerability exists because the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, creating an environment where attackers can execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the wassup plugin's codebase. When the Top stats widget processes data or when the wassupURI::add_siteurl method handles URL parameters, the plugin does not adequately filter or encode special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or injecting additional malware. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the user interface level where legitimate users interact with the plugin's dashboard features, making it difficult to detect without proper security monitoring. According to CWE standards, this represents a classic CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting vulnerability, where the application fails to properly validate or escape user-controllable data before including it in dynamically generated web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within WordPress environments. Attackers could leverage this XSS flaw to establish persistent access to compromised sites by stealing administrator credentials or modifying plugin settings. The vulnerability affects WordPress sites that rely on the wassup plugin for analytics and statistics tracking, potentially compromising the integrity of user data and site security. Since the plugin is designed to provide website statistics and visitor tracking, the attack surface includes not only the plugin's admin interface but also its frontend widgets that display visitor information. This creates a scenario where even non-administrator users who view the affected pages could be compromised, making the attack vector more widespread than initially apparent. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing with Social Engineering, as attackers could craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, would execute the stored XSS payload and compromise user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from WordPress site administrators to upgrade to version 1.9.1 or later of the wassup plugin where the XSS issues have been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and regularly audit their WordPress installations for outdated plugins. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated plugin to ensure no regressions in functionality occur. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known XSS attack patterns targeting WordPress plugins. Regular security assessments of all installed WordPress plugins and themes are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future, as this particular vulnerability demonstrates how even well-established plugins can contain security flaws that persist across multiple versions without proper security review processes.