CVE-2016-15027 in Post Duplicator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2023
A vulnerability was found in meta4creations Post Duplicator Plugin 2.18. It has been classified as problematic. Affected is the function mtphr_post_duplicator_notice of the file includes/notices.php. The manipulation of the argument post-duplicated leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 2.19 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is ca67c05e490c0cf93a1e9b2d93bfeff3dd96f594. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-221496.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-15027 resides within the meta4creations Post Duplicator WordPress plugin version 2.18, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that poses significant security risks to WordPress installations. This vulnerability specifically affects the mtphr_post_duplicator_notice function located in the includes/notices.php file, where improper handling of the post-duplicated argument creates an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that occur when web applications fail to properly validate or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables remote exploitation through manipulation of the post-duplicated parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or output encoding. When a user views a page containing the maliciously crafted input, the browser executes the injected script within the context of the victim's session, potentially allowing attackers to perform actions on behalf of legitimate users or steal sensitive information. This remote attack vector significantly amplifies the impact as it requires no local access to the target system and can be exploited through standard web browser interactions. The vulnerability's classification as a remote exploit aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers social engineering via spearphishing attachments, though in this case the attack occurs through web interface manipulation rather than email delivery.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially enable attackers to establish persistent access to compromised WordPress sites or facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, session hijacking, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects WordPress plugin installations that utilize the meta4creations Post Duplicator plugin, making it particularly concerning for content management systems that rely heavily on user-generated content and administrative functionality. Attackers can leverage this flaw to manipulate the administrative interface or inject malicious content into posts and pages, potentially affecting multiple users who view the compromised content.
Security remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate upgrading to version 2.19 of the meta4creations Post Duplicator plugin, as referenced in the patch identifier ca67c05e490c0cf93a1e9b2d93bfeff3dd96f594. This upgrade addresses the core issue by implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms for the affected parameter. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls, input validation at the application level, and regular security audits of installed WordPress plugins. The vulnerability's resolution through a simple version upgrade demonstrates the importance of maintaining current software versions and following security advisories from plugin vendors and security organizations.
Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin across their WordPress installations, as the vulnerability could potentially be exploited to gain unauthorized access to administrative panels or user accounts. The remediation process should include not only upgrading the plugin but also verifying that no malicious code was injected during the exploitation period. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities or content modifications that might indicate successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the critical need for proper code review practices and input sanitization in WordPress plugin development, particularly for functions that handle user-controllable data in administrative interfaces. This case underscores the importance of following security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards for web application security, emphasizing that even seemingly minor functionality flaws can create significant security exposure in content management systems.