CVE-2005-1688 in Wordpress
Summary
by MITRE
Wordpress 1.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to files in (1) wp-content/themes/, (2) wp-includes/, or (3) wp-admin/, which reveal the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2025
This vulnerability in wordpress versions 1.5 and earlier represents a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes system paths through error messages generated during direct file access attempts. The vulnerability occurs when attackers make direct requests to files within the wp-content/themes/, wp-includes/, or wp-admin/ directories, causing the system to generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the absolute file system paths used by the wordpress installation. This type of information disclosure can be categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper error handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves simple HTTP requests directed at specific wordpress directories, leveraging the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize file access attempts. When wordpress encounters these direct requests, particularly to non-existent or restricted files, it generates error messages that contain the complete file system path where the application is installed. This path disclosure can occur regardless of the user's authentication status, making it a particularly dangerous vulnerability for unauthenticated attackers. The exposure of system paths provides attackers with critical information that can be used for further exploitation attempts, including directory traversal attacks or other path-based vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed paths can be used by attackers to understand the system's file structure and potentially identify other weaknesses in the wordpress installation. Attackers can use the disclosed paths to craft more sophisticated attacks, such as exploiting other vulnerabilities that may exist in the same directories or using the path information to bypass security controls. This vulnerability also violates several security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the exposure of sensitive system information and inadequate error handling. The vulnerability can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovery of file and directory permissions, as the disclosed paths reveal the underlying file system structure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the wordpress application. The most effective solution involves updating to wordpress version 1.5.1 or later, where this vulnerability has been patched through improved file access controls and error message sanitization. Organizations should also implement proper web server configurations to prevent direct access to sensitive directories and ensure that error messages do not contain system path information. Additionally, security monitoring should be implemented to detect and alert on unusual access patterns to these directories, as the vulnerability can be exploited systematically by automated tools. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper error handling and input validation in web applications, as even seemingly minor issues can provide attackers with valuable information for more serious exploitation attempts.