CVE-2013-7483 in slidedeck2 Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The slidedeck2 plugin before 2.3.5 for WordPress has file inclusion.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7483 represents a critical file inclusion flaw within the slidedeck2 plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 2.3.5 and exposes WordPress installations to potential remote code execution attacks through improper input validation. The flaw resides in how the plugin handles user-supplied parameters during file operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of input parameters within the plugin's file handling mechanisms. When users interact with the slidedeck2 plugin, specific parameters are passed to internal file operations without adequate validation or filtering. This allows attackers to inject malicious file paths or references that can be processed by the application, leading to unintended file inclusion behaviors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially retrieving sensitive information or executing arbitrary code.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress installations using the affected plugin version. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools. Successful exploitation could result in complete compromise of the affected WordPress site, including data theft, defacement, or the installation of backdoors. The vulnerability also enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges within the web server environment, especially when the server configuration allows for broader file system access. Organizations running vulnerable WordPress installations face potential regulatory compliance issues and reputational damage if their systems are compromised through this attack vector.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center around immediate plugin updates to version 2.3.5 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the file inclusion flaw. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other components of their web applications. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be considered a replacement for proper code-level fixes. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation often involves executing malicious code through compromised file inclusion mechanisms. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of all installed WordPress plugins to identify other potential vulnerabilities, as this incident highlights the importance of maintaining updated and secure third-party components in web applications.