CVE-2016-10952 in quotes-collection Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The quotes-collection plugin before 2.0.6 for WordPress has XSS via the wp-admin/admin.php?page=quotes-collection page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10952 affects the quotes-collection plugin for WordPress versions prior to 2.0.6, representing a classic cross-site scripting flaw that exposes administrators and users to potential security risks. This issue specifically manifests within the wp-admin/admin.php?page=quotes-collection page parameter, where insufficient input validation and output sanitization allow malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the web application's administrative interface. The vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, particularly when processing the page parameter that controls the administrative navigation within the quotes-collection module.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper input sanitization and output encoding practices, which aligns with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. The flaw occurs when the plugin receives the page parameter without adequate validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes within the context of the administrator's browser session. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it enables attackers to craft malicious payloads that can be delivered through compromised WordPress installations, particularly targeting the administrative interface where privileged users interact with the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive administrative functions and data within the WordPress environment. When an administrator visits the affected page, their browser executes the injected script, which could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions within the WordPress administration panel. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it targets privileged users who have elevated access rights to the entire WordPress installation, including the ability to modify content, manage users, and potentially install malicious plugins or themes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10952 primarily focus on immediate plugin updates to version 2.0.6 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output sanitization. Security administrators should also implement additional protective measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring for unauthorized modifications, and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious parameter values. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the update does not introduce compatibility issues with existing WordPress installations, while also verifying that all user inputs are properly sanitized before being processed or displayed within the administrative interface. Organizations should also consider implementing security headers and content security policies to add additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.