CVE-2016-10976 Scanner

The Safe Editor Plugin is utilized with WordPress, a popular content management system used by bloggers and website owners for ease of content creation and website management. Developed by kodebyraaet, this plugin allows additional functionality for writing and editing CSS and JavaScripts directly within a WordPress site. The plugin is designed for users who seek to implement custom codes without navigating through complex code editors. Due to its integration with WordPress, the plugin is widely used among WordPress sites that rely on simple code customization. Its functionality is crucial for web designers and developers looking to efficiently alter the appearance and behavior of websites. By addressing custom code needs within the Dashboard, this plugin saves time and effort for its users, contributing to rapid website development.

The vulnerability identified in the Safe Editor Plugin prior to version 1.2 involves Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). Specifically, it results from insufficient authentication on the 'se_save' function. This allows malicious scripts to be injected into the site’s HTML and executed in users' browsers without their consent. The weakness can become a vector for attacks if improperly configured, thereby posing a risk to site integrity and user data. Exploitation typically involves untrusted content being incorporated by an attacker to compromise sensitive information. As this vulnerability is achieved without the need for elevated privileges, it is a significant concern for security-conscious website owners. Proactive discovery, like this scanner offers, helps prevent such vulnerabilities from leading to larger security breaches.

The primary technical detail of this vulnerability is the unsecured 'se_save' function within the plugin’s AJAX calls. Attackers can leverage this point by sending a crafted POST request to the WordPress admin AJAX endpoint. The POST request, as outlined in the scan detection, involves injecting a JavaScript alert to verify execution success. This vulnerability impacts the JavaScript section of the site's administrator interface, where injected scripts can potentially affect site behavior. The condition occurs due to the absence of proper session validation checks, which should authenticate script storage actions. Consequently, the XSS vulnerability allows for scripts to be saved and executed without user interaction, giving attackers an entry point. This lack of security measures is critical as it provides unrestrained code execution capabilities.

Malicious exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to severe consequences for affected WordPress sites. Attackers can craft scripts designed to steal cookies, session tokens, or redirect users to phishing websites. Additionally, it could enable unauthorized actions on behalf of users by hijacking their active sessions. Essentially, someone leveraging this vulnerability gains the ability to manipulate web content as well as access restricted areas of the site. In severe scenarios, the exploitation could lead to data theft, loss of site control, and substantial damage to users' trust. Hence, resolving such vulnerabilities to maintain data protection and site integrity is imperative.

REFERENCES

• https://wordpress.org/plugins/safe-editor/#developers
• https://github.com/ARPSyndicate/cvemon
• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-10976