CVE-2016-10981 in kento-post-view-counter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The kento-post-view-counter plugin through 2.8 for WordPress has stored XSS via kento_pvc_numbers_lang, kento_pvc_today_text, or kento_pvc_total_text.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2023
The kento-post-view-counter plugin for WordPress contains a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects versions through 2.8, presenting a significant security risk to WordPress installations. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data. The specific parameters kento_pvc_numbers_lang, kento_pvc_today_text, and kento_pvc_total_text are susceptible to malicious input injection, allowing attackers to store malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. This stored XSS vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress ecosystem. An attacker who gains access to a user's session through XSS can potentially escalate privileges and gain full administrative control over the WordPress site. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows persistent malicious code storage, meaning that once injected, the malicious scripts remain active until manually removed from the plugin's configuration. This persistence factor makes the vulnerability especially attractive to threat actors seeking long-term access to compromised systems. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction beyond viewing affected content, making it particularly effective for mass exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaws, as well as implementing comprehensive input validation and output sanitization measures. Administrators should ensure that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being stored or displayed, following secure coding practices that prevent script injection. The implementation of content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts even if XSS vulnerabilities exist elsewhere in the application. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins and themes. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs and properly escaping output, principles that align with the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing code injection attacks. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments are essential practices to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities like CVE-2016-10981.