Vulnerabilities > CVE-2016-1564 - Cross-site Scripting vulnerability in Wordpress

047910
CVSS 6.1 - MEDIUM
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
LOW
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
LOW
Integrity impact
LOW
Availability impact
NONE
network
low complexity
wordpress
CWE-79
nessus
NVD
Published: 2016-05-22
Updated: 2024-11-21

Summary

Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in wp-includes/class-wp-theme.php in WordPress before 4.4.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a (1) stylesheet name or (2) template name to wp-admin/customize.php.

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Wordpress
590

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Cross Site Scripting through Log Files
    An attacker may leverage a system weakness where logs are susceptible to log injection to insert scripts into the system's logs. If these logs are later viewed by an administrator through a thin administrative interface and the log data is not properly HTML encoded before being written to the page, the attackers' scripts stored in the log will be executed in the administrative interface with potentially serious consequences. This attack pattern is really a combination of two other attack patterns: log injection and stored cross site scripting.
  • Embedding Scripts in Non-Script Elements
    This attack is a form of Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) where malicious scripts are embedded in elements that are not expected to host scripts such as image tags (<img>), comments in XML documents (< !-CDATA->), etc. These tags may not be subject to the same input validation, output validation, and other content filtering and checking routines, so this can create an opportunity for an attacker to tunnel through the application's elements and launch a XSS attack through other elements. As with all remote attacks, it is important to differentiate the ability to launch an attack (such as probing an internal network for unpatched servers) and the ability of the remote attacker to collect and interpret the output of said attack.
  • Embedding Scripts within Scripts
    An attack of this type exploits a programs' vulnerabilities that are brought on by allowing remote hosts to execute scripts. The attacker leverages this capability to execute scripts to execute his/her own script by embedding it within other scripts that the target software is likely to execute. The attacker must have the ability to inject script into script that is likely to be executed. If this is done, then the attacker can potentially launch a variety of probes and attacks against the web server's local environment, in many cases the so-called DMZ, back end resources the web server can communicate with, and other hosts. With the proliferation of intermediaries, such as Web App Firewalls, network devices, and even printers having JVMs and Web servers, there are many locales where an attacker can inject malicious scripts. Since this attack pattern defines scripts within scripts, there are likely privileges to execute said attack on the host. Of course, these attacks are not solely limited to the server side, client side scripts like Ajax and client side JavaScript can contain malicious scripts as well. In general all that is required is for there to be sufficient privileges to execute a script, but not protected against writing.
  • Cross-Site Scripting in Error Pages
    An attacker distributes a link (or possibly some other query structure) with a request to a third party web server that is malformed and also contains a block of exploit code in order to have the exploit become live code in the resulting error page. When the third party web server receives the crafted request and notes the error it then creates an error message that echoes the malformed message, including the exploit. Doing this converts the exploit portion of the message into to valid language elements that are executed by the viewing browser. When a victim executes the query provided by the attacker the infected error message error message is returned including the exploit code which then runs in the victim's browser. XSS can result in execution of code as well as data leakage (e.g. session cookies can be sent to the attacker). This type of attack is especially dangerous since the exploit appears to come from the third party web server, who the victim may trust and hence be more vulnerable to deception.
  • Cross-Site Scripting Using Alternate Syntax
    The attacker uses alternate forms of keywords or commands that result in the same action as the primary form but which may not be caught by filters. For example, many keywords are processed in a case insensitive manner. If the site's web filtering algorithm does not convert all tags into a consistent case before the comparison with forbidden keywords it is possible to bypass filters (e.g., incomplete black lists) by using an alternate case structure. For example, the "script" tag using the alternate forms of "Script" or "ScRiPt" may bypass filters where "script" is the only form tested. Other variants using different syntax representations are also possible as well as using pollution meta-characters or entities that are eventually ignored by the rendering engine. The attack can result in the execution of otherwise prohibited functionality.

Nessus

  • NASL familyFreeBSD Local Security Checks
    NASL idFREEBSD_PKG_FB754341C3E211E5B5FE002590263BF5.NASL
    descriptionAaron Jorbin reports : WordPress 4.4.1 is now available. This is a security release for all previous versions and we strongly encourage you to update your sites immediately. WordPress versions 4.4 and earlier are affected by a cross-site scripting vulnerability that could allow a site to be compromised. This was reported by Crtc4L.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id88154
    published2016-01-26
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2016-2018 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/88154
    titleFreeBSD : wordpress -- XSS vulnerability (fb754341-c3e2-11e5-b5fe-002590263bf5)
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
# extracted from the FreeBSD VuXML database :
#
# Copyright 2003-2018 Jacques Vidrine and contributors
#
# Redistribution and use in source (VuXML) and 'compiled' forms (SGML,
# HTML, PDF, PostScript, RTF and so forth) with or without modification,
# are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
# 1. Redistributions of source code (VuXML) must retain the above
#    copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following
#    disclaimer as the first lines of this file unmodified.
# 2. Redistributions in compiled form (transformed to other DTDs,
#    published online in any format, converted to PDF, PostScript,
#    RTF and other formats) must reproduce the above copyright
#    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
#    in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
#    distribution.
# 
# THIS DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
# AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
# THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
# PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR OR CONTRIBUTORS
# BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY,
# OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT
# OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR
# BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY,
# WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE
# OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS DOCUMENTATION,
# EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(88154);
  script_version("2.5");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2018/11/23 12:49:57");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2016-1564");

  script_name(english:"FreeBSD : wordpress -- XSS vulnerability (fb754341-c3e2-11e5-b5fe-002590263bf5)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks for updated packages in pkg_info output");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:
"The remote FreeBSD host is missing one or more security-related
updates."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"Aaron Jorbin reports :

WordPress 4.4.1 is now available. This is a security release for all
previous versions and we strongly encourage you to update your sites
immediately.

WordPress versions 4.4 and earlier are affected by a cross-site
scripting vulnerability that could allow a site to be compromised.
This was reported by Crtc4L."
  );
  # http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/01/08/3
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/01/08/3"
  );
  # https://wordpress.org/news/2016/01/wordpress-4-4-1-security-and-maintenance-release/
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?3f9eafbe"
  );
  # https://vuxml.freebsd.org/freebsd/fb754341-c3e2-11e5-b5fe-002590263bf5.html
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?8629907a"
  );
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Update the affected packages.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:freebsd:freebsd:de-wordpress");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:freebsd:freebsd:ja-wordpress");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:freebsd:freebsd:ru-wordpress");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:freebsd:freebsd:wordpress");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:freebsd:freebsd:zh-wordpress-zh_CN");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:freebsd:freebsd:zh-wordpress-zh_TW");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:freebsd:freebsd");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2016/01/06");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2016/01/26");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2016/01/26");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2016-2018 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
  script_family(english:"FreeBSD Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/FreeBSD/release", "Host/FreeBSD/pkg_info");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("freebsd_package.inc");


if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
if (!get_kb_item("Host/FreeBSD/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "FreeBSD");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/FreeBSD/pkg_info")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);


flag = 0;

if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"wordpress<4.4.1,1")) flag++;
if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"de-wordpress<4.4.1")) flag++;
if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"ja-wordpress<4.4.1")) flag++;
if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"ru-wordpress<4.4.1")) flag++;
if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"zh-wordpress-zh_CN<4.4.1")) flag++;
if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"zh-wordpress-zh_TW<4.4.1")) flag++;

if (flag)
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_warning(port:0, extra:pkg_report_get());
  else security_warning(0);
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");
  • NASL familyCGI abuses
    NASL idWORDPRESS_4_4_1.NASL
    descriptionAccording to its self-reported version number, the WordPress application running on the remote web server is prior to 4.4.1. It is, therefore, affected by a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability due to improper validation of user-supplied input to the file wp-includes/class-wp-theme.php before returning it in error messages. A remote attacker can exploit this, via a crafted request, to execute arbitrary script code in the user
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id87921
    published2016-01-14
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2016-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/87921
    titleWordPress < 4.4.1 class-wp-theme.php XSS
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(87921);
  script_version("1.12");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/11/20");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2016-1564");
  script_bugtraq_id(79914);

  script_name(english:"WordPress < 4.4.1 class-wp-theme.php XSS");
  script_summary(english:"Checks the version of WordPress.");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The PHP application running on the remote web server is affected by
a cross-site scripting vulnerability.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"According to its self-reported version number, the WordPress
application running on the remote web server is prior to 4.4.1.
It is, therefore, affected by a cross-site scripting (XSS)
vulnerability due to improper validation of user-supplied input to the
file wp-includes/class-wp-theme.php before returning it in error
messages. A remote attacker can exploit this, via a crafted request,
to execute arbitrary script code in the user's browser session.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied
only on the application's self-reported version number.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/8358");
  # https://wordpress.org/news/2016/01/wordpress-4-4-1-security-and-maintenance-release/
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?3f9eafbe");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://codex.wordpress.org/Version_4.4.1");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Upgrade to WordPress version 4.4.1 or later.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:H/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:H/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2016-1564");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No exploit is required");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2016/01/06");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2016/01/06");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2016/01/14");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"potential_vulnerability", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"remote");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:wordpress:wordpress");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"CGI abuses");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2016-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("wordpress_detect.nasl");
  script_require_keys("www/PHP", "installed_sw/WordPress", "Settings/ParanoidReport");
  script_require_ports("Services/www", 80);

  exit(0);
}

include("vcf.inc");
include("http.inc");

if (report_paranoia < 2) audit(AUDIT_PARANOID);

app = "WordPress";
port = get_http_port(default:80, php:TRUE);

app_info = vcf::get_app_info(app:app, port:port, webapp:TRUE);
vcf::check_granularity(app_info:app_info, sig_segments:2);

constraints = [
  { "min_version":"3.7", "fixed_version":"3.7.12", "fixed_display" : "3.7.12 / 4.4.1" },
  { "min_version":"3.8", "fixed_version":"3.8.12", "fixed_display" : "3.8.12 / 4.4.1" },
  { "min_version":"3.9", "fixed_version":"3.9.10", "fixed_display" : "3.9.10 / 4.4.1" },
  { "min_version":"4.0", "fixed_version":"4.0.9", "fixed_display" : "4.0.9 / 4.4.1" },
  { "min_version":"4.1", "fixed_version":"4.1.9", "fixed_display" : "4.1.9 / 4.4.1" },
  { "min_version":"4.2", "fixed_version":"4.2.6", "fixed_display" : "4.2.6 / 4.4.1" },
  { "min_version":"4.3", "fixed_version":"4.3.2", "fixed_display" : "4.3.2 / 4.4.1" },
  { "min_version":"4.4", "fixed_version":"4.4.1", "fixed_display" : "4.4.1" }
];

vcf::check_version_and_report(
  app_info:app_info,
  constraints:constraints,
  severity:SECURITY_WARNING,
  flags:{xss:TRUE}
);
  • NASL familyDebian Local Security Checks
    NASL idDEBIAN_DSA-3444.NASL
    descriptionCrtc4L discovered a cross-site scripting vulnerability in wordpress, a web blogging tool, allowing a remote authenticated administrator to compromise the site.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id87900
    published2016-01-14
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2016-2018 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/87900
    titleDebian DSA-3444-1 : wordpress - security update
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
# extracted from Debian Security Advisory DSA-3444. The text 
# itself is copyright (C) Software in the Public Interest, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(87900);
  script_version("2.8");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2018/11/10 11:49:37");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2016-1564");
  script_xref(name:"DSA", value:"3444");

  script_name(english:"Debian DSA-3444-1 : wordpress - security update");
  script_summary(english:"Checks dpkg output for the updated package");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:"The remote Debian host is missing a security-related update."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"Crtc4L discovered a cross-site scripting vulnerability in wordpress, a
web blogging tool, allowing a remote authenticated administrator to
compromise the site."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=810325"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://packages.debian.org/source/wheezy/wordpress"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://packages.debian.org/source/jessie/wordpress"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3444"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"solution", 
    value:
"Upgrade the wordpress packages.

For the oldstable distribution (wheezy), this problem has been fixed
in version 3.6.1+dfsg-1~deb7u9.

For the stable distribution (jessie), this problem has been fixed in
version 4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u7."
  );
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:wordpress");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:7.0");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:8.0");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2016/01/13");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2016/01/14");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2016-2018 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
  script_family(english:"Debian Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/Debian/release", "Host/Debian/dpkg-l");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("debian_package.inc");


if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
if (!get_kb_item("Host/Debian/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Debian");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/Debian/dpkg-l")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);


flag = 0;
if (deb_check(release:"7.0", prefix:"wordpress", reference:"3.6.1+dfsg-1~deb7u9")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"7.0", prefix:"wordpress-l10n", reference:"3.6.1+dfsg-1~deb7u9")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"8.0", prefix:"wordpress", reference:"4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u7")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"8.0", prefix:"wordpress-l10n", reference:"4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u7")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"8.0", prefix:"wordpress-theme-twentyfifteen", reference:"4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u7")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"8.0", prefix:"wordpress-theme-twentyfourteen", reference:"4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u7")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"8.0", prefix:"wordpress-theme-twentythirteen", reference:"4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u7")) flag++;

if (flag)
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_warning(port:0, extra:deb_report_get());
  else security_warning(0);
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");

References