CVE-2016-10987 in persian-woocommerce-sms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The persian-woocommerce-sms plugin before 3.3.4 for WordPress has ps_sms_numbers XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The CVE-2016-10987 vulnerability affects the persian-woocommerce-sms plugin version 3.3.3 and earlier, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the plugin's handling of SMS number inputs. This vulnerability exists within the WordPress ecosystem and directly impacts users who employ this particular plugin for managing SMS notifications within their WooCommerce e-commerce platforms. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the plugin processes the ps_sms_numbers parameter, which is used to store and display mobile phone numbers associated with SMS notifications for WooCommerce transactions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. The flaw occurs because the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through the SMS number input fields. When legitimate users view pages that display these unfiltered SMS numbers, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the plugin's administrative interfaces where users might enter sensitive contact information, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit the WordPress environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10987 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions within the WordPress environment. This vulnerability allows for potential privilege escalation and persistent access to the affected systems, particularly when the plugin is used in conjunction with WooCommerce's sensitive transactional data. Attackers can craft malicious inputs that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, could redirect users to phishing sites or inject additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability's exploitation is relatively straightforward, requiring minimal technical expertise and making it attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise WordPress installations. The presence of this flaw in the persian-woocommerce-sms plugin creates a persistent security risk for e-commerce businesses that rely on WordPress for their online operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10987 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 3.3.4 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation measures and output encoding practices throughout their WordPress installations to prevent similar issues from occurring in other plugins or custom code. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for vulnerable plugins and maintaining updated security configurations for all WordPress components. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security practices in WordPress plugin development and highlights the critical need for regular security audits of third-party components used in e-commerce environments. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their digital infrastructure.