CVE-2005-2109 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
wp-login.php in WordPress 1.5.1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to change the content of the forgotten password e-mail message via the message variable, which is not initialized before use.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2109 represents a critical security flaw in WordPress versions 1.5.1.2 and earlier, specifically within the wp-login.php script that handles user authentication and password recovery mechanisms. This issue stems from improper input validation and variable initialization practices that create opportunities for remote code execution and information disclosure attacks. The vulnerability affects the core password reset functionality that users rely on when they lose access to their accounts, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers without requiring prior authentication credentials.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of the message variable within the wp-login.php file where the forgotten password email functionality is implemented. When users request a password reset, the system should generate a standardized email template containing security tokens and reset instructions. However, due to the uninitialized message variable, attackers can inject arbitrary content into the email template that gets delivered to victims. This flaw falls under the category of improper initialization of variables, which is classified as CWE-457 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The lack of proper input sanitization and validation allows malicious actors to manipulate the email content, potentially injecting malicious links, phishing content, or other harmful elements that could compromise user accounts and system security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple email manipulation and creates significant risks for WordPress installations. Attackers can exploit this flaw to launch social engineering campaigns by modifying the password reset emails to include malicious links that redirect users to phishing sites or deliver malware. The vulnerability enables man-in-the-middle attacks where compromised users receive falsified password reset instructions that lead to account takeovers. Additionally, the modified email content could contain misleading information that confuses users about legitimate security procedures, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1566 tactic for social engineering and T1078 for valid accounts, as it leverages legitimate user recovery mechanisms to compromise security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2109 require immediate action from system administrators and WordPress users to upgrade to patched versions of the software. The most effective solution involves updating WordPress installations to version 1.5.2 or later where the message variable initialization issue has been resolved. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all WordPress installations remain current with security updates. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual email traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around password reset functionality. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers including application-level sanitization of user inputs and proper initialization of all variables before use. Security teams should also consider implementing email authentication mechanisms such as dkim and spf to help verify the legitimacy of password reset emails and prevent unauthorized modifications to email content. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar variable initialization issues that could exist in other parts of the application.