CVE-2018-6001 in Soundy Audio Playlist Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Soundy Audio Playlist plugin 4.6 and below for WordPress has Cross-Site Scripting via soundy-audio-playlist\templates\front-end.php (war_sdy_pl_preview parameter).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2019
The Soundy Audio Playlist plugin for WordPress represents a critical security vulnerability that exposes web applications to cross-site scripting attacks through improper input validation and sanitization. This vulnerability affects versions 4.6 and below of the plugin, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of WordPress platforms and their associated plugins. The flaw specifically manifests in the front-end template file located at soundy-audio-playlist/templates/frontend.php, where the war_sdy_pl_preview parameter fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within the web page context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to apply adequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms when processing the war_sdy_pl_preview parameter. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through this parameter, the plugin directly incorporates the unsanitized data into the HTML output without proper encoding or filtering. This creates an environment where malicious JavaScript code can be executed within the context of other users' browsers who view the affected content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where improper validation of user-provided data leads to code injection vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within users' browsers. This could enable session hijacking, credential theft, or the redirection of users to malicious websites. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate functionality of the audio playlist plugin, making it difficult for users to distinguish between normal plugin behavior and malicious activity. The vulnerability affects the entire WordPress ecosystem where the plugin is installed, potentially compromising thousands of websites simultaneously.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version of the Soundy Audio Playlist plugin, which would include proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious parameter values containing script tags or other malicious payloads. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the need for proper input validation and output encoding. Additionally, implementing content security policies can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution, aligning with defense-in-depth strategies recommended by the MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application security. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins and themes that may expose similar attack surfaces.