CVE-2014-4942 in wp-easycart
Summary
by MITRE
The EasyCart (wp-easycart) plugin before 2.0.6 for WordPress allows remote attackers to obtain configuration information via a direct request to inc/admin/phpinfo.php, which calls the phpinfo function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4942 affects the EasyCart plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 2.0.6, presenting a critical information disclosure risk that exposes sensitive system configuration details to remote attackers. This flaw exists within the plugin's administrative component where a direct request to the inc/admin/phpinfo.php endpoint triggers the execution of the phpinfo function, which is designed to display extensive information about the PHP configuration and server environment. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference, where an attacker can bypass normal access controls to retrieve sensitive information that should remain protected within the administrative interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly authenticate and authorize access to administrative endpoints. When an attacker makes a direct request to the phpinfo.php file, the application does not verify whether the requester possesses valid administrative credentials or privileges. This oversight allows unauthorized users to obtain comprehensive details about the server's PHP configuration including loaded extensions, system paths, environment variables, and other sensitive operational information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The phpinfo function itself is not inherently dangerous, but its exposure without proper access controls creates a significant security risk as it reveals configuration details that attackers can use to tailor more sophisticated attacks against the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked configuration information provides attackers with crucial intelligence for subsequent exploitation phases. The exposed phpinfo output may reveal database connection details, file system locations, PHP module configurations, and other sensitive parameters that could facilitate privilege escalation, SQL injection attacks, or other advanced exploitation techniques. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with the T1083 technique for discovering system information, which is often used as a reconnaissance step before more targeted attacks. The disclosure of such information creates a pathway for attackers to understand the target environment's architecture and identify potential attack vectors that might not otherwise be apparent through passive reconnaissance.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a clear example of the principle of least privilege violation, where administrative functions are exposed without proper authentication mechanisms. The CWE dictionary categorizes this issue under CWE-200, Information Exposure, and specifically relates to CWE-668, Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere, which describes how resources intended for restricted access are made available to unauthorized users. Organizations running affected versions of the EasyCart plugin should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to version 2.0.6 or later, which addresses the access control flaw. Additionally, network administrators should monitor for suspicious requests to administrative endpoints and consider implementing web application firewalls to block direct access to sensitive files. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits of WordPress plugins and the necessity of ensuring that all administrative interfaces properly enforce authentication and authorization checks to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system information.