CVE-2012-0896 in Count Per Day
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in download.php in the Count Per Day module before 3.1.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via the f parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The CVE-2012-0896 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within the Count Per Day WordPress module, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.1.1. This vulnerability resides in the download.php script which is part of the module's functionality for handling file downloads. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit a lack of proper input validation and sanitization, enabling them to manipulate the f parameter to access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability stems from the module's failure to properly restrict file access paths, creating an opportunity for unauthorized file retrieval that could expose sensitive system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied input through the f parameter in the download.php script. When an attacker submits a malicious value to this parameter, the application fails to validate or sanitize the input before using it to construct file paths. This allows attackers to craft requests that traverse the filesystem using directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ../../, potentially accessing files outside the intended download directory. The vulnerability is classified as a path traversal attack that operates at the application level rather than at the network or operating system level, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional network security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0896 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Attackers can potentially retrieve sensitive configuration files, database credentials, wp-config.php files containing database access information, and other critical system files that may contain authentication tokens or other sensitive data. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized access to files that should remain protected within the application's secure boundaries. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring any authentication, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress installations that are publicly accessible on the internet.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a classic example of path traversal attacks that have been documented in numerous security advisories. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and potentially T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) when combined with other exploitation techniques. The vulnerability also relates to the broader category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, which are frequently exploited in web application attacks. Organizations using vulnerable versions of the Count Per Day module face significant risk of data exposure, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations if sensitive information is accessed through this vector. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0896 should include immediate patching to version 3.1.1 or later of the Count Per Day module, which implements proper input validation and sanitization. Additionally, administrators should implement proper file access controls, restrict file download functionality to authenticated users where possible, and monitor for suspicious file access patterns. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though the primary remediation is updating the vulnerable module. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other WordPress plugins and themes, as path traversal vulnerabilities remain a common class of flaws in web applications. Organizations should also implement proper logging and monitoring of file access activities to detect potential exploitation attempts.