CVE-2014-10396 in epic Theme
Summary
by MITRE
The epic theme through 2014-09-07 for WordPress allows arbitrary file downloads via the file parameter to includes/download.php.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-10396 affects the epic theme for WordPress versions up to and including September 7, 2014, presenting a critical security flaw in the theme's file download functionality. This issue resides within the includes/download.php file which processes user input through a file parameter without adequate validation or sanitization measures. The vulnerability operates under the weakness class described by CWE-22, known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which directly enables attackers to manipulate file paths and access unauthorized resources on the web server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit the theme's download functionality by manipulating the file parameter to traverse directories beyond the intended scope. When a user submits a request to includes/download.php with a crafted file parameter, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it to construct file paths. This lack of input validation creates an opportunity for path traversal attacks where attackers can navigate through the file system to access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or other restricted resources that should not be publicly accessible through the theme's download mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to download critical system files including wp-config.php which contains database credentials, or other theme and plugin files that might contain sensitive information. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which describes "Data from Information Repositories" and represents a method for attackers to extract sensitive data from web applications. Additionally, this vulnerability can be used as a stepping stone for further exploitation, potentially leading to remote code execution or privilege escalation depending on the server configuration and file permissions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must include immediate patching of the affected WordPress theme to the latest version that addresses the path traversal flaw. Organizations should also implement input validation and sanitization measures at the application level, ensuring that all user-provided parameters are properly validated before being used in file system operations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting the web server's access to only necessary directories and implementing proper file access controls. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though the most effective solution remains the immediate application of the vendor-provided patch. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual download patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security audits should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the WordPress installation or associated themes and plugins.