CVE-2016-5833 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the column_title function in wp-admin/includes/class-wp-media-list-table.php in WordPress before 4.5.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted attachment name, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-5834.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2022
The cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5833 resides within WordPress's administrative interface, specifically in the column_title function located in wp-admin/includes/class-wp-media-list-table.php. This flaw affects WordPress versions prior to 4.5.3 and represents a significant security concern that could enable remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser. The vulnerability manifests when attackers craft malicious attachment names that contain embedded script code, which then gets processed and displayed without proper sanitization in the media library interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping within the WordPress admin panel's media handling functionality. When administrators or users view the media library table, the column_title function processes attachment names and displays them directly in HTML output without sufficient sanitization measures. This creates an environment where maliciously crafted attachment names containing HTML tags or JavaScript code can be executed when rendered in the browser. The vulnerability specifically impacts the media list table display mechanism, making it particularly dangerous for administrators who frequently manage media uploads.
From an operational perspective, this XSS vulnerability poses substantial risks to WordPress installations, particularly those with administrative users who regularly interact with media files. Attackers could exploit this flaw by uploading specially crafted media files with malicious names that contain embedded scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it could enable attackers to escalate privileges or compromise the entire WordPress installation through session manipulation attacks. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting flaw, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that has been consistently ranked among the top security risks.
The exploitation of CVE-2016-5833 aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and privilege escalation through web application attacks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to WordPress administrative interfaces, potentially gaining control over content management and user account manipulation. The vulnerability's classification as a server-side XSS issue means that successful exploitation requires no user interaction beyond viewing the affected media library page, making it particularly dangerous for administrators who regularly access media management features.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to WordPress version 4.5.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input sanitization issues. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms for all user-supplied data within administrative interfaces. Security measures should include regular security audits of WordPress installations, implementation of web application firewalls, and monitoring of media upload activities for suspicious file names. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing role-based access controls to limit who can upload media files, reducing the attack surface for potential XSS exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper sanitization in web applications and highlights the necessity of continuous security updates and monitoring practices.