CVE-2016-10986 in tweet-wheel Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The tweet-wheel plugin before 1.0.3.3 for WordPress has XSS via consumer_key, consumer_secret, access_token, and access_token_secret.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The tweet-wheel plugin for WordPress represents a critical security vulnerability that affects versions prior to 1.0.3.3, specifically exposing users to cross-site scripting attacks through multiple authentication parameters. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the plugin's handling of Twitter API credentials, creating an attack surface that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's administrative interface. The affected parameters include consumer_key, consumer_secret, access_token, and access_token_secret, which are all critical components of the Twitter API authentication process and are typically managed through the plugin's configuration interface.
The technical flaw manifests when these sensitive authentication parameters are improperly validated or escaped before being rendered in the plugin's user interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input containing script tags or other malicious payloads within any of these credential fields. When administrators view the plugin configuration or manage Twitter integration settings, the unescaped input gets executed in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect users to malicious sites. This vulnerability operates under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS attack where malicious code persists in the application's data storage and executes whenever the affected page is loaded.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within WordPress environments. Administrators who manage the tweet-wheel plugin configuration are particularly at risk since their sessions contain elevated privileges that could be compromised. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious scripts, they can potentially access the WordPress admin panel, modify content, install additional malware, or even escalate privileges to gain full control over the affected website. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through credential harvesting and T1059.001 for command and control through script injection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to version 1.0.3.3 or later, which include proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. System administrators should also implement strict input validation at multiple levels, including server-side validation of all Twitter API credentials entered through the plugin interface. Additional protective measures include restricting administrative access to only trusted users, implementing content security policies to prevent script execution, and monitoring for suspicious configuration changes or unauthorized access attempts. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, while maintaining up-to-date security practices including timely patch management and comprehensive backup strategies to ensure rapid recovery in case of compromise.