CVE-2016-10988 in leenkme Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The leenkme plugin before 2.6.0 for WordPress has stored XSS via facebook_message, facebook_linkname, facebook_caption, facebook_description, default_image, or _wp_http_referer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10988 affects the leenkme plugin version 2.5.9 and earlier for WordPress platforms, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting weakness that enables attackers to inject malicious code into the plugin's configuration parameters. This flaw resides in how the plugin processes and stores user input from various Facebook-related fields including facebook_message, facebook_linkname, facebook_caption, facebook_description, default_image, and _wp_http_referer parameters. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, allowing malicious actors to persistently inject harmful scripts that execute whenever affected pages are loaded.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic stored XSS pattern where attacker-controlled data flows directly into the plugin's database storage without proper validation or encoding. When users visit pages that display content processed by the leenkme plugin, the malicious JavaScript code embedded in these stored parameters executes within the context of other users' browsers. This creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions, steal cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability specifically impacts WordPress environments where the leenkme plugin is installed and actively used for social media integration features.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it represents a significant risk to WordPress site integrity and user security. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent backdoors within compromised sites, harvest sensitive user information, or manipulate social media sharing functionality to spread malware. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the database, creating long-term exposure windows. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious links or compromised web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10988 require immediate patching of the leenkme plugin to version 2.6.0 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output escaping. System administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any instances of the vulnerable plugin version and ensure all user inputs are properly validated before database storage. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers, monitoring for unauthorized modifications to plugin files, and conducting regular security scans to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other components of their WordPress infrastructure. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining updated third-party plugins and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to prevent persistent threats that can compromise entire user bases.