WordPress Core Cross-Site Scripting Scanner

WordPress Core Cross-Site Scripting Scanner

Short Info


Level

Medium

Single Scan

Single Scan

Can be used by

Asset Owner

Estimated Time

10 seconds

Time Interval

19 days 11 hours

Scan only one

Domain, IPv4, Subdomain

Toolbox

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WordPress is a popular content management system used worldwide for building and maintaining websites. It is utilized by a diverse range of users from individual bloggers to large corporations due to its flexibility and ease of use. WordPress is often chosen for its extensive plugin architecture, allowing customization and feature enhancements. With regular updates to its core system, WordPress continues to evolve to meet user needs. It's crucial for users to ensure their installations are secure, as WordPress sites can be frequent targets for attackers. Admins and developers rely on WordPress for its robust capabilities, but must stay vigilant against potential vulnerabilities.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities can allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. These vulnerabilities often arise from insufficient input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability in WordPress Core affects specific parameters, exposing users to potential script injections. Attackers can exploit XSS to execute scripts in the context of the affected user's session. This can lead to unauthorized actions, such as stealing session cookies or redirecting users to malicious sites. Staying aware of and addressing XSS vulnerabilities is critical to maintaining web security.

In WordPress Core, the 'success_url' and 'reject_url' parameters are vulnerable due to improper sanitization, leading to XSS attacks. These parameters are part of the mechanism for requesting application passwords. If a malicious URL is crafted and a user is tricked into visiting it, it could execute arbitrary JavaScript in the user's browser session. Detection of this issue involves identifying requests manipulating these parameters to inject scripts. This XSS vulnerability highlights the need for proper input validation and secure coding practices to protect web applications.

If exploited, this Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability can lead to several detrimental effects. Attackers might gain unauthorized access to sensitive information through malicious scripts. Users can unwittingly execute harmful commands, compromising both data integrity and availability. The vulnerability may facilitate further attacks, such as phishing or drive-by downloads. It can damage an organization's reputation by compromising its website security. Moreover, extended exposure to such vulnerabilities increases the risk of widespread data breaches.

REFERENCES

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