CVE-2014-2674 in Ajax Pagination Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Ajax Pagination (twitter Style) plugin 1.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the loop parameter in an ajax_navigation action to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2674 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Ajax Pagination (twitter Style) plugin version 1.1 for WordPress systems. This security weakness specifically targets the plugin's handling of user-supplied input through the loop parameter in the ajax_navigation action executed via wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate file access paths by incorporating directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation, which allows unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the web server filesystem. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can potentially expose sensitive system files, configuration data, and user information that should remain protected within the application's intended scope.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's processing logic. When the ajax_navigation action receives the loop parameter containing directory traversal sequences, the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before using it in file operations. This lack of proper input filtering creates an attack surface where malicious actors can craft requests that bypass normal file access controls and retrieve files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness allows attackers to access files and directories that are stored outside the web root folder, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2674 extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it can enable attackers to access sensitive information such as database credentials, configuration files, user data, and potentially system-level files that contain critical security parameters. When exploited, this vulnerability can facilitate further attacks including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker does not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the privilege escalation and credential access tactics, where attackers can leverage directory traversal to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The attack can be executed through simple HTTP requests that manipulate the loop parameter, making it relatively easy to exploit and potentially automatable for large-scale attacks against multiple WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2674 should focus on immediate plugin updates or removal, as the vulnerability was patched in subsequent versions of the Ajax Pagination plugin. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent directory traversal attacks, including the use of allowlists for acceptable input values and proper parameter validation before any file operations are performed. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with rules specifically designed to detect and block directory traversal attempts can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping all WordPress plugins updated to their latest versions and following security best practices such as implementing least privilege access controls and regular security audits. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect similar directory traversal patterns in their web applications, as this type of weakness often appears in legacy or poorly maintained codebases where proper security controls have not been implemented.