CVE-2019-15833 in simple-mail-address-encoder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The simple-mail-address-encoder plugin before 1.7 for WordPress has reflected XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2023
The CVE-2019-15833 vulnerability affects the simple-mail-address-encoder plugin for WordPress versions prior to 1.7, representing a reflected cross-site scripting flaw that poses significant security risks to WordPress installations. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user input parameters, specifically in how it processes and displays email addresses within the WordPress admin interface. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious actors can inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, with the attack payload being reflected off the web server rather than being stored on the server. The vulnerability occurs when user-supplied data containing script tags or malicious JavaScript code is processed by the plugin and subsequently rendered in the browser without proper sanitization or output encoding. This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The impact is particularly concerning in WordPress environments where administrators or privileged users may interact with the plugin's interface, as these individuals often possess elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic failure in input validation and output encoding practices, where untrusted data flows directly into the browser without appropriate security measures to prevent code injection attacks. This type of vulnerability commonly falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under T1566.001 for "Phishing with Social Engineering" and potentially T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" as attackers can leverage the reflected XSS to execute JavaScript code in victim browsers. The plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in the web interface creates an attack surface that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any special privileges or authentication. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through various means, including malicious email addresses entered into forms or parameters passed through URL query strings that the plugin processes. WordPress administrators who are unaware of this vulnerability may inadvertently expose their systems to attacks, as the reflected nature of the XSS means that the malicious payload is immediately executed when a user visits a compromised page. The simple-mail-address-encoder plugin's design appears to have overlooked the fundamental principle of secure input handling, where all user-provided data should be treated as potentially malicious and properly escaped or encoded before being rendered in web contexts. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper security practices in WordPress plugin development, particularly regarding input validation and output encoding. The affected version range indicates that the plugin developers failed to implement adequate security measures in their code, leaving users exposed to potential exploitation. The reflected XSS attack vector allows threat actors to craft malicious URLs that, when visited by administrators or other users, would execute JavaScript code in their browsers. The severity of this vulnerability is amplified by the fact that many WordPress users may not be aware of the specific plugin vulnerabilities affecting their installations, making them more susceptible to exploitation. Organizations relying on WordPress for their web presence must ensure that all plugins are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities, as outdated plugins represent one of the most common attack vectors in web application security. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of web applications and their components, including third-party plugins that may introduce security risks into otherwise secure systems. Proper implementation of security controls such as Content Security Policy headers, input sanitization, and output encoding would have prevented this vulnerability from being exploitable. The affected plugin's failure to properly handle user input demonstrates a gap in security awareness and development practices that could affect other similar plugins within the WordPress ecosystem.