CVE-2012-6635 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
wp-admin/includes/class-wp-posts-list-table.php in WordPress before 3.3.3 does not properly restrict excerpt-view access, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information by visiting a draft.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6635 resides within the WordPress content management system and specifically affects versions prior to 3.3.3. This security flaw exists in the wp-admin/includes/class-wp-posts-list-table.php file which handles the display of posts in the administrative interface. The issue manifests when authenticated users with appropriate privileges attempt to access draft posts through the excerpt view functionality, creating an unauthorized information disclosure scenario. The vulnerability represents a significant access control weakness that undermines the security model of the platform.
The technical implementation flaw stems from insufficient authorization checks within the WordPress administrative post listing mechanism. When users navigate to the excerpt view of posts, the system fails to properly validate whether the authenticated user should have access to the specific draft content they are attempting to view. This allows malicious or unauthorized users with valid accounts to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive information contained within draft posts. The vulnerability operates through the administrative interface where users can view post excerpts, which typically should only be accessible to users with proper permissions. The flaw demonstrates a classic privilege escalation issue where users can access content beyond their designated access levels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as draft posts often contain sensitive data including unpublished content, internal communications, development notes, or confidential business information. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to unpublished content that may include proprietary data, strategic plans, or other confidential materials. This represents a serious threat to organizations relying on WordPress for content management, as it allows for the potential exposure of sensitive business information that should remain protected until publication. The vulnerability particularly affects sites where multiple users have administrative or editor privileges, increasing the attack surface.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and relates to the broader category of privilege escalation issues within web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078, which covers valid accounts and T1566, involving credential harvesting, though it operates through a legitimate access path rather than credential theft. The flaw also connects to T1005, data breach, as it enables unauthorized access to sensitive data. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to WordPress version 3.3.3 or later, which contains the necessary access control fixes. Additionally, administrators should review user permissions and roles to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to draft content, and consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual access patterns in the administrative interface.