CVE-2007-1599 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
wp-login.php in WordPress allows remote attackers to redirect authenticated users to other websites and potentially obtain sensitive information via the redirect_to parameter.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1599 represents a critical security flaw in the WordPress content management system that specifically affects the wp-login.php authentication endpoint. This issue stems from improper input validation and sanitization of the redirect_to parameter, which is used to determine where users should be directed after successful authentication. The flaw exists in the core WordPress codebase and impacts all versions prior to the security patch released in 2007, making it one of the earliest documented vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem that demonstrated the platform's susceptibility to open redirect attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when WordPress processes the redirect_to parameter during the authentication flow. When a user attempts to access a protected resource or logs in through the wp-login.php page, the system accepts a redirect_to parameter that specifies the destination URL. The vulnerability arises because the application fails to validate whether this destination URL belongs to the same domain as the WordPress installation. This allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that redirect authenticated users to phishing sites or other malicious destinations, effectively bypassing the authentication system's intended security boundaries. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for widespread abuse.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-1599 extends beyond simple redirection attacks and creates significant risks for both end users and system administrators. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to conduct phishing campaigns where authenticated users are redirected to fake login pages designed to capture credentials. This represents a direct threat to user account security and can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information within WordPress installations. Additionally, the vulnerability can be used to spread malware or conduct social engineering attacks by redirecting users to malicious websites that appear legitimate. The attack vector is particularly effective because it exploits the trust relationship between users and the WordPress authentication system, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious redirects.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 Open Redirect vulnerability classification and maps directly to tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1566 Phishing and T1078 Valid Accounts. The weakness creates a pathway for attackers to establish persistent access to user accounts and can be combined with other techniques to create more sophisticated attack chains. Organizations running vulnerable WordPress installations face potential data breaches, credential theft, and reputational damage when this vulnerability is exploited. The security implications are further compounded by the fact that WordPress installations are widely deployed across various industries, making this vulnerability a prime target for automated exploitation tools and broad-based attack campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1599 require immediate patching of affected WordPress installations to the latest security releases, which include proper validation of redirect destinations and implementation of domain checking mechanisms. System administrators should implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns, though these measures should complement rather than replace proper patching. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls including monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, user education programs to recognize phishing attempts, and regular security audits of web applications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and demonstrates how even fundamental authentication mechanisms can contain critical security flaws that require immediate remediation.