CVE-2011-3818 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
WordPress 2.9.2 and 3.0.4 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to a .php file, which reveals the installation path in an error message, as demonstrated by wp-admin/includes/user.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
WordPress versions 2.9.2 and 3.0.4 contain a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability that exposes installation paths through direct requests to php files. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of Information Exposure and represents a classic path disclosure issue that can provide attackers with critical system information. The flaw occurs when users make direct requests to specific php files such as wp-admin/includes/user.php, causing the system to generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the absolute installation path of the WordPress instance. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with precise knowledge of the server's file structure and can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as it enables adversaries to gather information about the file system structure. Attackers can leverage this information to craft more targeted attacks, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further system compromise. The exposure of installation paths can also facilitate other attack vectors such as local file inclusion vulnerabilities or directory traversal attacks, where knowledge of the actual file system location becomes crucial for exploitation. This vulnerability demonstrates poor error handling practices within the WordPress codebase, where error messages are not properly sanitized before being displayed to users. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can provide attackers with the precise directory structure, which may reveal version-specific paths, file locations, and potentially sensitive configuration details. The vulnerability affects the core WordPress functionality and represents a fundamental security flaw in how the application handles direct file access attempts. Organizations running these vulnerable versions should immediately implement mitigations including proper error handling configuration, file access restrictions, and input validation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper error message generation in web applications. The exposure of system paths can be particularly damaging in environments where multiple applications share the same server, as it may reveal the complete directory structure and potentially lead to cross-application attacks. This type of information disclosure can also be leveraged in combination with other vulnerabilities to create more effective attack scenarios. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and proper error handling in web applications. The lack of proper access controls on sensitive files and directories represents a significant security weakness that can be exploited to gather intelligence for more advanced attacks. The vulnerability also demonstrates how seemingly minor coding oversights can have substantial security implications. Modern security frameworks emphasize the importance of minimizing information exposure through error handling, and this vulnerability clearly illustrates the consequences of failing to implement such practices. Organizations should implement comprehensive security measures including proper file permissions, web server configuration restrictions, and regular security audits to prevent such information disclosure vulnerabilities from occurring in their systems. The vulnerability represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates how direct file access can expose sensitive system information. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks that rely on knowledge of the system's file structure and configuration.