CVE-2008-6811 in e-Commerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in image_processing.php in the e-Commerce Plugin 3.4 and earlier for Wordpress allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading a file with an executable extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in wp-content/plugins/wp-shopping-cart/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2024
The CVE-2008-6811 vulnerability represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw within the e-Commerce Plugin version 3.4 and earlier for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability resides in the image_processing.php component of the plugin, which fails to properly validate file extensions and content during the upload process. The flaw enables remote attackers to bypass security controls by uploading malicious files with executable extensions such as .php, .asp, or .jsp, which can then be executed on the target server. The vulnerability specifically affects the wp-shopping-cart plugin's handling of image uploads, where the system does not adequately verify the file type or content before storing it in the wp-content/plugins/wp-shopping-cart/ directory.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-defined attack pattern that aligns with CWE-434, which categorizes unrestricted file upload as a critical security weakness. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious files with executable code and uploading them through the plugin's image processing interface. Once uploaded, these files become accessible via direct HTTP requests to their location within the wp-content/plugins/wp-shopping-cart/ directory structure. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to gain remote code execution capabilities on the affected WordPress installation, potentially enabling them to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate data, or compromise the entire web server.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to WordPress installations using the affected plugin version. The compromise can lead to complete server takeover, data breaches, and unauthorized access to sensitive customer information that e-commerce platforms typically handle. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate web application but can also serve as a foothold for broader network attacks, particularly when the compromised server hosts other applications or services. Organizations using vulnerable WordPress installations may experience significant financial losses due to data theft, service disruption, and potential regulatory penalties under data protection laws such as GDPR or PCI DSS requirements.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2008-6811 requires immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 3.5 or later, which implements proper file validation and sanitization measures. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including input validation, file type restrictions, and proper file permission settings. The mitigation approach should follow ATT&CK technique T1190 for malicious file execution and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits of all installed WordPress plugins, implement web application firewalls, and establish proper file upload validation mechanisms that check both file extensions and content types. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar weaknesses in other plugins or custom code implementations, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications.