CVE-2014-4725 in Newsletters
Summary
by MITRE
The MailPoet Newsletters (wysija-newsletters) plugin before 2.6.7 for WordPress allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and execute arbitrary PHP code by uploading a crafted theme using wp-admin/admin-post.php and accessing the theme in wp-content/uploads/wysija/themes/mailp/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4725 affects the MailPoet Newsletters plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 2.6.7. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary PHP code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insufficient access controls within the plugin's theme upload functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to gain unauthorized system access and potentially compromise entire WordPress installations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific attack vector involving the wp-admin/admin-post.php endpoint, which serves as a central processing point for administrative actions within WordPress. Attackers can craft malicious theme files and upload them through this endpoint, bypassing the normal authentication checks that should prevent unauthorized modifications to the WordPress installation. Once uploaded, the malicious theme becomes accessible through the wp-content/uploads/wysija/themes/mailp/ directory path, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server. This particular flaw aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-74, which covers injection flaws, specifically the execution of arbitrary code through malicious file uploads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected WordPress installations. Once successful, attackers can modify or delete content, steal sensitive data, install additional malware, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks against internal networks. The vulnerability affects not only individual websites but also poses significant risks to organizations relying on WordPress for their web presence, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and reputational damage. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers of varying skill levels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4725 primarily focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 2.6.7 or later, which address the authentication bypass and file upload validation issues. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including restricting file upload capabilities, implementing proper access controls for wp-admin endpoints, and monitoring for unauthorized theme uploads or modifications. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious upload attempts, while regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized themes or files exist in the wysija themes directory. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and following security best practices for file upload handling, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through PHP code injection and T1078.004 for valid accounts and credentials compromise through unauthorized access to administrative functions. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in their environments.