CVE-2009-2334 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
wp-admin/admin.php in WordPress and WordPress MU before 2.8.1 does not require administrative authentication to access the configuration of a plugin, which allows remote attackers to specify a configuration file in the page parameter to obtain sensitive information or modify this file, as demonstrated by the (1) collapsing-archives/options.txt, (2) akismet/readme.txt, (3) related-ways-to-take-action/options.php, (4) wp-security-scan/securityscan.php, and (5) wp-ids/ids-admin.php files. NOTE: this can be leveraged for cross-site scripting (XSS) and denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-2334 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in WordPress and WordPress MU versions prior to 2.8.1. This issue resides within the wp-admin/admin.php file and fundamentally undermines the security model of the content management system by failing to properly verify administrative privileges before allowing access to plugin configuration interfaces. The flaw enables unauthenticated remote attackers to exploit the system through manipulation of the page parameter, effectively bypassing the intended access controls that should restrict plugin configuration access to authorized administrators only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and access control mechanisms within WordPress's administrative interface. Attackers can leverage this weakness by constructing malicious URLs that target specific plugin configuration files through the page parameter in admin.php. The vulnerability affects multiple plugins including collapsing-archives, akismet, related-ways-to-take-action, wp-security-scan, and wp-ids, each containing sensitive configuration data that can be accessed without proper authentication. This flaw falls under CWE-285, which specifically addresses insufficient authorization issues, and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through improper access control validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass more severe security implications including potential cross-site scripting attacks and denial of service conditions. When attackers access plugin configuration files, they can potentially inject malicious code into the readme.txt and options.php files, creating persistent XSS vulnerabilities that can affect other administrators or users who view these files. The ability to modify configuration files directly allows for complete compromise of plugin functionality, potentially leading to complete system takeover. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1213 which covers data from information repositories, as it provides unauthorized access to administrative configuration data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of WordPress installations to version 2.8.1 or later where the authentication bypass has been resolved. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to plugin configuration files and establish proper network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can help prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their WordPress installations and ensure all plugins are updated to their latest versions, as this vulnerability demonstrates how outdated plugins can create entry points for attackers. The fix implemented in WordPress 2.8.1 involved strengthening the authentication checks in admin.php to properly validate user privileges before allowing access to plugin configuration interfaces, thereby addressing the core issue identified in this vulnerability.