CVE-2008-3747 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) get_edit_post_link and (2) get_edit_comment_link functions in wp-includes/link-template.php in WordPress before 2.6.1 do not force SSL communication in the intended situations, which might allow remote attackers to gain administrative access by sniffing the network for a cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3747 affects WordPress versions prior to 2.6.1 and specifically targets two critical functions within the wp-includes/link-template.php file. These functions, get_edit_post_link and get_edit_comment_link, are responsible for generating administrative editing links for posts and comments within the WordPress ecosystem. The flaw represents a significant security oversight that directly impacts the integrity of user authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of these functions fails to enforce secure communication protocols when generating administrative links. This occurs because the functions do not properly validate or enforce SSL/TLS encryption requirements during link generation, creating a scenario where administrative URLs can be generated without the necessary security context. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper protocol enforcement mechanisms that should ensure all administrative interactions occur over encrypted channels.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for WordPress installations that rely on cookie-based authentication mechanisms. Network sniffing attacks can capture administrative cookies and session identifiers that are transmitted in cleartext when these functions generate links without SSL enforcement. Attackers can exploit this weakness to hijack administrative sessions, particularly when users access WordPress administrative interfaces over unsecured network connections such as public wifi networks or corporate networks lacking proper encryption controls. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and can result in complete administrative compromise of affected systems.
The security implications extend beyond simple session hijacking to encompass potential data breaches, content manipulation, and unauthorized system modifications. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain full administrative control over WordPress installations, allowing them to modify content, add malicious plugins, alter user permissions, and potentially use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of secure communication channels.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to WordPress 2.6.1 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper SSL enforcement mechanisms. Additionally, network administrators should ensure that all WordPress installations enforce SSL/TLS encryption for administrative interfaces through proper server configuration and security policies. The implementation of HTTP Strict Transport Security headers and proper certificate management can further protect against such vulnerabilities. This remediation approach addresses the root cause of the issue and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through network sniffing attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts targeting administrative interfaces, particularly in environments where legacy WordPress installations may still be present.