CVE-2016-10985 in echosign Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The echosign plugin before 1.2 for WordPress has XSS via the templates/add_templates.php id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The echosign plugin for WordPress prior to version 1.2 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper input validation within the templates/add_templates.php file. This flaw specifically affects the id parameter which is used to process template identifiers within the plugin's administrative interface. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient output sanitization where user-supplied input flows directly into HTML output without appropriate encoding or validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize or escape the id parameter before incorporating it into dynamically generated HTML content. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through the id parameter, the plugin processes this input without adequate protection measures, allowing the malicious script to execute within the context of a victim's browser session. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a reflected XSS attack vector where the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the web application's response.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions within the WordPress administration interface. Since the vulnerability exists within a plugin that likely handles document signing workflows, attackers could potentially access sensitive template data or manipulate the document processing pipeline. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface where privileged users operate, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for organizations relying on the echosign plugin for business-critical document management processes.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes social engineering attacks through spearphishing with malicious attachments or links. The vulnerability could be exploited through crafted template identifiers that, when clicked by an administrator, would execute malicious scripts. Security practitioners should note that this issue demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly within plugin ecosystems where third-party code integrates with core WordPress functionality. The vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all user-controllable parameters and the implementation of defense-in-depth strategies including Content Security Policy enforcement and regular security audits of installed plugins.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to echosign plugin version 1.2 or later to address this vulnerability, while implementing additional mitigations such as restricting administrative access, monitoring for suspicious template operations, and ensuring proper input validation across all plugin components. The remediation process should include thorough testing to verify that the fix properly sanitizes all user inputs and that no similar vulnerabilities exist within the plugin's codebase or related functionality.