CVE-2019-14799 in FV Flowplayer Video Player
Summary
by MITRE
The FV Flowplayer Video Player plugin before 7.3.14.727 for WordPress allows email subscription XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The CVE-2019-14799 vulnerability affects the FV Flowplayer Video Player plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 7.3.14.727, and represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability within the email subscription functionality. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's subscription handling code, creating an exploitable vector for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's email subscription form. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a cross-site scripting flaw, which occurs when user-provided data is not properly escaped or validated before being rendered in web pages. The affected plugin's email subscription feature processes user input without sufficient sanitization, allowing attackers to craft malicious email addresses containing script tags that execute in the context of other users' browsers when the subscription data is displayed or processed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal cookies, and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. When a victim visits a page where the malicious subscription data is displayed or when administrators view subscription lists, the injected scripts execute in their browser context, potentially leading to unauthorized access to the WordPress admin panel or other sensitive areas. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering and T1059.007 for command and control through scripting languages, as attackers can leverage the XSS to establish persistent access or gather sensitive information from authenticated users. The vulnerability specifically impacts the email subscription form functionality, which typically accepts user input through web forms and displays it in various contexts within the WordPress admin interface or public-facing pages.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-14799 require immediate patching of the FV Flowplayer Video Player plugin to version 7.3.14.727 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and output sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including content security policy headers to limit script execution, regular security scanning of WordPress installations, and monitoring of subscription form data for suspicious patterns. The fix implemented in the patched version addresses the root cause by properly escaping user input before rendering it in HTML contexts, implementing proper input validation for email addresses, and ensuring that all user-provided data is sanitized according to security best practices. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities, as this type of issue commonly affects plugins that handle user input through forms or subscription mechanisms, and should establish automated patch management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.