CVE-2016-10984 in echosign Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The echosign plugin before 1.2 for WordPress has XSS via the inc.php page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The CVE-2016-10984 vulnerability affects the echosign plugin version 1.1 and earlier for WordPress, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser. This vulnerability specifically targets the inc.php page parameter, which fails to properly sanitize user input before processing. The echosign plugin serves as a document signing solution integrated within WordPress environments, making it a potential vector for attacks against organizations relying on WordPress for their digital workflows. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable condition where malicious payloads can be injected through the affected parameter.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper sanitization mechanisms for the page parameter in the inc.php file. When user-supplied data flows directly into the web page without adequate filtering or encoding, it creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious scripts. This weakness aligns with CWE-79, which classifies cross-site scripting as a critical web application vulnerability where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The attack typically involves crafting a malicious URL containing script code within the page parameter, which gets executed when the victim accesses the vulnerable page. The vulnerability can be leveraged by threat actors to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially compromising entire WordPress installations and the sensitive documents managed through the echosign plugin. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to signed documents, manipulate the document signing process, or establish persistent access through session hijacking techniques. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where WordPress serves as a content management platform for business-critical workflows and document management systems. This flaw could facilitate advanced persistent threats or credential theft operations, as the XSS attack vector allows for the execution of malicious JavaScript code that can capture user credentials or establish backdoor access. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used plugin amplifies its potential impact across multiple WordPress installations.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including upgrading to echosign plugin version 1.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms serves as a defensive measure against similar vulnerabilities. Security practitioners should consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also include regular security assessments of WordPress plugins and themes to identify potential security gaps. Organizations should follow ATT&CK framework guidance for defending against credential access techniques, as the vulnerability could enable adversaries to harvest session tokens and authentication cookies. Regular patch management processes should be enforced to ensure timely deployment of security updates, particularly for third-party plugins that handle sensitive data processing operations.