CVE-2005-10002 in secure-files Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/29/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in almosteffortless secure-files Plugin up to 1.1 on WordPress. Affected is the function sf_downloads of the file secure-files.php. The manipulation of the argument downloadfile leads to path traversal. Upgrading to version 1.2 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is cab025e5fc2bcdad8032d833ebc38e6bd2a13c92. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-243804.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2023
This critical vulnerability exists in the almosteffortless secure-files WordPress plugin version 1.1 and earlier, representing a significant security risk that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive files on affected systems. The flaw is located within the sf_downloads function of the secure-files.php file, where improper input validation creates an exploitable path traversal condition. Attackers can manipulate the downloadfile argument to navigate through the file system and access files that should remain protected, potentially leading to data breaches and system compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects WordPress environments where this plugin is installed, making it particularly dangerous in web hosting scenarios where multiple sites share the same server infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the downloadfile parameter. When the plugin processes file download requests, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file system operations. This allows attackers to craft malicious input strings containing directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar constructs that can bypass intended file access restrictions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests that target the plugin's download functionality, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring authentication or special privileges. According to CWE standards, this represents a classic path traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it could enable attackers to obtain sensitive information, including database credentials, configuration files, and other potentially compromising data stored on the server. An attacker could potentially access WordPress core files, plugin files, or even system configuration files that contain authentication tokens or other critical information. The vulnerability's critical classification indicates that it can be exploited remotely and does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use the gained access to escalate privileges or extract additional sensitive data. The path traversal attack vector also relates to T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) and T1505 (Server Software Component) as it allows access to server components and repositories.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 1.2 of the secure-files plugin, which includes the patch identified by the commit hash cab025e5fc2bcdad8032d833ebc38e6bd2a13c92. This upgrade addresses the core input validation issue by implementing proper sanitization of the downloadfile parameter before any file system operations are performed. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls, input validation at the server level, and regular security audits of installed WordPress plugins. System administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and ensure that all WordPress installations maintain current versions of plugins and themes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and the critical need for regular security updates in content management systems.