CVE-2013-2741 in BackupBuddy
Summary
by MITRE
importbuddy.php in the BackupBuddy plugin 1.3.4, 2.1.4, 2.2.25, 2.2.28, and 2.2.4 for WordPress does not require that authentication be enabled, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information, or overwrite or delete files, via vectors involving a (1) direct request, (2) step=1 request, (3) step=2 or step=3 request, or (4) step=7 request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2741 affects the BackupBuddy WordPress plugin, specifically versions 1.3.4, 2.1.4, 2.2.25, 2.2.28, and 2.2.4, presenting a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity and confidentiality of WordPress installations. This vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication requirements within the importbuddy.php component, which serves as a crucial import functionality for backup files. The flaw allows unauthorized remote attackers to exploit multiple request parameters including direct requests and various step-based operations, effectively bypassing the normal authentication mechanisms that should protect sensitive administrative functions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw operates through a lack of proper access control validation, enabling attackers to perform unauthorized operations on the target WordPress installation. When attackers make requests to the importbuddy.php script with specific parameters such as step=1, step=2, step=3, or step=7, they can bypass the authentication checks that should normally be required to access these administrative functions. This weakness represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege, where the system does not adequately verify user identities before granting access to sensitive operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, encompassing data integrity, confidentiality, and availability concerns. Attackers can leverage this flaw to obtain sensitive information from the WordPress installation, potentially accessing database credentials, user information, or other confidential data stored within the system. Beyond information disclosure, the vulnerability enables attackers to overwrite or delete files, which can result in complete system compromise or data loss. The ability to perform file operations through the import functionality means that attackers can potentially modify core WordPress files, plugin files, or configuration settings, leading to persistent backdoors or complete system takeover.
From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, though the specific vector here is through authentication bypass rather than credential theft. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects a widely used backup plugin, making it a prime target for automated scanning and exploitation. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions indicates a systemic issue in the plugin's authentication implementation that was not adequately addressed through version updates. Organizations using affected versions of BackupBuddy face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential system compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring any special privileges or prior access to the system.
The recommended mitigations include immediate upgrade to patched versions of the BackupBuddy plugin, implementation of network-level access controls to restrict access to the importbuddy.php endpoint, and verification of plugin integrity through checksum validation. Additionally, administrators should ensure that authentication is properly configured for WordPress and that unnecessary plugin functionality is disabled. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication implementation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security audits and patch management processes. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious requests to the affected endpoints, as these measures can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts.