CVE-2005-4463 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
WordPress before 1.5.2 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) wp-includes/vars.php, (2) wp-content/plugins/hello.php, (3) wp-admin/upgrade-functions.php, (4) wp-admin/edit-form.php, (5) wp-settings.php, and (6) wp-admin/edit-form-comment.php, which leaks the path in an error message related to undefined functions or failed includes. NOTE: the wp-admin/menu-header.php vector is already covered by CVE-2005-2110. NOTE: the vars.php, edit-form.php, wp-settings.php, and edit-form-comment.php vectors were also reported to affect WordPress 2.0.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2019
This vulnerability in WordPress versions prior to 1.5.2 represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes system paths through error messages generated during failed include operations. The vulnerability affects multiple core files including wp-includes/vars.php, wp-content/plugins/hello.php, wp-admin/upgrade-functions.php, wp-admin/edit-form.php, wp-settings.php, and wp-admin/edit-form-comment.php, all of which contain improper error handling mechanisms. When these files encounter undefined functions or failed include operations, they generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the absolute file system paths of the WordPress installation. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from WordPress's failure to properly sanitize error messages in its core file inclusion mechanisms. When PHP attempts to include or execute files that do not exist or contain undefined functions, the default error reporting behavior exposes the full file path where the error occurred. This occurs because the WordPress codebase does not implement proper error suppression or custom error handling for these specific include operations, allowing the underlying PHP engine to display the complete path information in error messages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core administrative and include files that are frequently accessed during normal WordPress operations, making the path disclosure attack surface quite broad.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked paths can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who discovers the WordPress installation path can use this information to craft more targeted attacks, including directory traversal exploits, file inclusion vulnerabilities, or to identify the exact version of WordPress being used. The path information can also reveal the server's file structure, potentially exposing other system components or configurations that might be vulnerable to exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) by providing attackers with the foundational information needed for deeper system reconnaissance and exploitation.
The specific vectors affected by this vulnerability include multiple WordPress core files that handle different aspects of the system functionality. The wp-includes/vars.php file contains global variable definitions that may be included in various contexts, while the wp-content/plugins/hello.php file represents a plugin component that could be exploited through the same mechanism. The wp-admin/upgrade-functions.php file contains administrative upgrade functions that are particularly sensitive, as they often handle system-level operations. The wp-admin/edit-form.php and wp-admin/edit-form-comment.php files are part of the administrative interface, making them prime targets for attackers seeking to understand the system's structure. The wp-settings.php file contains core configuration settings that could provide additional insights into the system's operation. The combination of these multiple vulnerable vectors increases the attack surface and makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various access points within the WordPress system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to WordPress version 1.5.2 or later, where the information disclosure issues have been addressed through improved error handling mechanisms. System administrators should also implement proper error reporting configuration to suppress detailed error messages in production environments, ensuring that PHP error reporting is set to a level that does not expose file paths. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can filter out suspicious requests to these specific file paths, monitoring server logs for unusual access patterns to these files, and conducting regular security audits to identify potential information disclosure vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing proper input validation and output sanitization techniques to prevent similar issues in custom code implementations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper error handling in web applications and the need for security-conscious development practices that prevent information leakage through error messages.