Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
An unauthenticated attacker could store malicious script in vulnerable MainWP Dashboard plugin installations. The script runs when a user views the affected page, potentially exposing dashboard context or altering admin-facing content. Because MainWP is used to manage multiple WordPress sites, a dashboard issue can create broader operational risk.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for any MainWP dashboard because it can affect a central management plane for multiple WordPress sites. If vulnerable versions are present, handle as a high-priority web application issue, even without confirmed active exploitation.
Technical view
CVE-2016-15041 is stored cross-site scripting in MainWP Dashboard versions up to and including 3.1.2 through the mwp_setup_purchase_username parameter. The source attributes this to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. CVSS is 7.2 high with network access, low complexity, no privileges, changed scope, and low confidentiality and integrity impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress sites running MainWP Dashboard versions up to and including 3.1.2. The bundle’s affected metadata is inconsistent, so teams should verify installed plugin versions directly rather than rely only on CPE or default-status data.
Exploitation context
The bundle states unauthenticated attackers can inject scripts that execute when an injected page is accessed. It does not include evidence of active exploitation, and kev is false. Treat exploitation as plausible for exposed vulnerable sites, but not confirmed as actively exploited from these sources.
Researcher notes
The strongest facts are the vulnerable parameter, unauthenticated stored XSS condition, version range, CWE-79 classification, and CVSS 7.2 score. The source bundle does not provide a named patch version or active exploitation evidence, and affected-product metadata appears internally inconsistent.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for MainWP Dashboard installations.
- Identify and prioritize versions up to and including 3.1.2.
- Check MainWP or WordPress plugin guidance for fixed versions or supported remediation.
- Update, disable, or remove vulnerable installations according to vendor guidance.
- Limit administrative dashboard access where operationally feasible.
Validation and detection
- Confirm installed MainWP Dashboard version on each WordPress site.
- Review dashboard-stored settings for unexpected script content.
- Check logs for unauthenticated requests involving the affected setup parameter.
- Verify remediation by confirming no version remains at or below 3.1.2.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2016-15041 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.2 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N3.92.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.2HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/a9b1445f-3b6b-40fa-9a12-f55d63668dda?source=cveCVE reference
- https://klikki.fi/adv/mainwp.htmlCVE reference
- https://www.acunetix.com/vulnerabilities/web/wordpress-plugin-mainwp-dashboard-cross-site-scripting-3-1-2/CVE reference
- https://web.archive.org/web/20191101060009/https%3A//klikki.fi/adv/mainwp.htmlCVE reference
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.