WordPress Adaptive Images Cross-Site Scripting Scanner
Detects 'Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)' vulnerability in WordPress Adaptive Images affects v. < 0.6.69.
Short Info
Level
High
Single Scan
Single Scan
Can be used by
Asset Owner
Estimated Time
10 seconds
Time Interval
3 weeks 4 hours
Scan only one
URL
Toolbox
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WordPress Adaptive Images is a plugin widely used by web developers and site administrators to enhance image handling capabilities on WordPress websites. It is utilized in optimizing images by serving adapted versions according to the user’s device, thereby improving site performance and user experience. Developers and web managers prefer this tool for its efficiency in automatically resizing images, as it allows for responsive image delivery without manual intervention. The plugin's ease of integration with WordPress makes it accessible for both new and experienced developers. Its function is crucial for sites where image load times significantly impact overall site speed and user satisfaction. Organizations and individuals hosting WordPress websites benefit from this plugin by ensuring optimal image delivery across multiple devices.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a significant security vulnerability where attackers inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute scripts in the context of the user's browser session, potentially leading to data theft, session hijacking, or defacement of the web content. XSS vulnerabilities can be exploited on sites where user input is unsanitized and then used in server responses. Attackers target such vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to users’ sessions or to deliver phishing attacks. The impact of XSS is typically high, as it can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of user interactions. By exploiting XSS, attackers can perform actions on behalf of users, including redirecting them to malicious sites.
The vulnerability in WordPress Adaptive Images arises due to the lack of sanitization and escaping of the REQUEST_URI before embedding it into a page. This failure permits attackers to craft a URL that includes script tags or event handlers, such as an onerror attribute inside an image tag, which are executed when the page is loaded. The compromised endpoint often involves dynamic content rendering processes that should manually scrutinize or sanitize inputs. Specific parameters, particularly those affecting the generation of HTML content, become the focal point of exploitation. Tools like penetration testers can exploit these endpoints to validate the presence of the vulnerability by observing unescaped outputs in the application's response. Such vulnerabilities frequently reside within sections intended to provide dynamic content in response to user requests.
If exploited, the XSS vulnerability in the WordPress Adaptive Images plugin could allow attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser. This could lead to unauthorized actions such as cookie theft, which may result in session hijacking and impersonation of the user on the affected site. It could also cause redirection to phishing websites designed to steal personal information or passwords. Additionally, the attacker could deface web pages or manipulate the site's appearance to deliver misleading information to users. The exploitation of this vulnerability could have detrimental effects on a website’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Such intrusions could further extend to exploiting other vulnerabilities present within the same application or platform.
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