CVE-2018-6002 in Soundy Background Music Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Soundy Background Music plugin 3.9 and below for WordPress has Cross-Site Scripting via soundy-background-music\templates\front-end.php (war_soundy_preview parameter).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2019
The Soundy Background Music plugin for WordPress contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects versions 3.9 and below, specifically within the front-end template file soundy-background-music-templates/front-end.php. This vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of the war_soundy_preview parameter, which is used to preview audio files within the plugin's interface. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view pages utilizing the affected plugin. The vulnerability exists because the plugin fails to properly validate and escape user input before incorporating it into the HTML output, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate the plugin's behavior and potentially escalate their access within the WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from the plugin's handling of the war_soundy_preview parameter which is directly incorporated into the front-end output without adequate sanitization measures. When users browse pages that utilize the Soundy Background Music plugin, the parameter value gets rendered directly into HTML elements, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform other harmful actions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that affects how applications process user-supplied data. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into clicking malicious links, or through direct exploitation if the attacker has access to a user's session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to compromise entire WordPress installations through session hijacking or privilege escalation attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially steal administrator credentials, modify content, install malware, or even take complete control of the affected WordPress site. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the front-end rendering of the plugin, meaning that any user visiting pages that utilize the Soundy Background Music plugin could be exposed to the malicious code. This creates a wide attack surface since WordPress sites often have numerous visitors and the plugin's preview functionality is typically accessible to various user roles, potentially including unauthenticated users who may interact with the plugin's interface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Soundy Background Music plugin to version 4.0 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms to prevent similar issues in the future, following the principle of least privilege and ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, using proper parameter validation, and conducting regular security audits of third-party plugins. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting known XSS vulnerabilities, and establish monitoring procedures to identify unauthorized modifications to WordPress installations. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date plugins and following secure coding practices, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's methodology for web application exploitation techniques. The remediation process should also include educating users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping all software components updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.