CVE-2012-3574 in MM Forms Community
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in includes/doajaxfileupload.php in the MM Forms Community plugin 2.2.5 and 2.2.6 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 upload/temp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2025
The CVE-2012-3574 vulnerability represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw in the MM Forms Community plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions 2.2.5 and 2.2.6. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-434, which defines insecure file upload conditions where applications fail to properly validate or restrict file types that users can upload. The flaw exists within the includes/doajaxfileupload.php file, which serves as the core component handling file uploads through an AJAX interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading malicious files with executable extensions such as .php, .asp, or .jsp directly to the WordPress installation's upload/temp directory. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and access control mechanisms, as the plugin does not properly sanitize file extensions or verify the content type of uploaded files before storing them on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, aligning with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 category for Exploit Public-Facing Application. Once an attacker successfully uploads a malicious file, they gain the ability to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the web server process. This creates a persistent backdoor that can be used for data exfiltration, lateral movement, or to establish a foothold for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to bypass standard WordPress security measures and directly access the server's file system through predictable paths. The uploaded files become immediately accessible via direct HTTP requests to the upload/temp directory, eliminating the need for additional exploitation techniques or privilege escalation methods.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites and can be accomplished through automated tools or simple manual techniques. Attackers typically upload a web shell or malicious script with a disguised extension that appears legitimate but contains malicious code. The plugin's lack of proper file validation means that even if an attacker attempts to upload a file with a .txt extension, the system will accept any file type without verification. This flaw represents a classic case of inadequate security controls in web application development, where the principle of least privilege is violated and the server's file system becomes an attack surface for remote code execution. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor separation of concerns in the application architecture, as the file upload functionality lacks proper access controls and content validation mechanisms that should be implemented at multiple layers of the security architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3574 should address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The most critical immediate action involves upgrading to a patched version of the MM Forms Community plugin or completely removing the vulnerable plugin from the WordPress installation. Organizations should implement strict file type validation that rejects executable files and enforces content-based verification rather than relying solely on file extensions. Security measures should include placing uploaded files in non-executable directories, implementing proper file access controls, and ensuring that uploaded files are stored outside the web root where possible. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and implement proper monitoring of file upload activities to detect suspicious patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include multiple layers of security controls to prevent unauthorized code execution. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other plugins and themes that may present similar attack vectors.