CVE-2016-10925 in peters-login-redirect Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The peters-login-redirect plugin before 2.9.1 for WordPress has XSS during the editing of redirect URLs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10925 affects the peters-login-redirect WordPress plugin version 2.9.0 and earlier, presenting a cross-site scripting vulnerability during the editing of redirect URLs. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's administrative interface, creating a security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's URL editing functionality. The vulnerability specifically manifests when administrators or users with appropriate privileges attempt to modify redirect URL configurations within the plugin's settings.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input when processing redirect URL parameters. When administrators edit or create redirect rules, the plugin does not adequately escape or validate the URL content before rendering it back to the user interface. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code within the URL field, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected administrative interface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws that occur when untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages served to users. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient output escaping, where dynamic content is not properly encoded before being rendered in the browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for WordPress installations utilizing the affected plugin, as it provides attackers with a potential vector for executing malicious code in the context of authenticated users' browsers. An attacker could craft malicious redirect URLs containing script payloads that would execute when administrators view the redirect configuration page, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or data theft. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the administrative context, meaning successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges or compromise the entire WordPress installation. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting, where adversaries leverage web-based scripting vulnerabilities to execute malicious code in user browsers. The attack surface is further expanded as the vulnerability affects not just the plugin's own functionality but also the broader WordPress administrative environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediately upgrading to version 2.9.1 or later of the peters-login-redirect plugin, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS flaw. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting access to the plugin's administrative interface, monitoring for suspicious activity in the WordPress admin area, and ensuring proper input validation is enforced across all user-supplied data. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking malicious script payloads in transit. The remediation process should also include reviewing and sanitizing existing redirect URL configurations to ensure no malicious code has been injected into the system. Organizations should maintain updated vulnerability management processes and regularly audit their WordPress installations for similar issues, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output escaping in web applications. The fix implemented in version 2.9.1 likely includes enhanced sanitization routines and proper HTML escaping of user-provided URL content before rendering it within the administrative interface, addressing the root cause of the XSS vulnerability.