CVE-2014-5460 in Tibulant Slideshow Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in the Tribulant Slideshow Gallery plugin before 1.4.7 for WordPress allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by uploading a PHP file, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The CVE-2014-5460 vulnerability represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw in the Tribulant Slideshow Gallery plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 1.4.7. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's file upload handling mechanism, which fails to properly validate or sanitize uploaded files before storing them in the WordPress upload directory. The issue specifically impacts authenticated users who possess sufficient privileges to access the plugin's upload functionality, creating a pathway for remote code execution that can compromise the entire WordPress installation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward yet dangerous process. An authenticated attacker uploads a malicious PHP file through the plugin's upload interface, which is then stored in the wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/ directory. Since the plugin does not implement proper file type validation or content inspection, the uploaded PHP file can contain malicious code that executes when accessed directly through a web browser. This direct access pattern bypasses WordPress's normal security controls and allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server with the privileges of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the compromised WordPress environment. Once a malicious PHP file is successfully uploaded and executed, attackers can establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify website content, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks against the internal network. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly concerning because the uploaded files remain accessible until manually deleted by administrators, potentially allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to the compromised system.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-434, which describes the weakness of unrestricted file upload, and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The attack chain demonstrates how a seemingly minor configuration flaw in a WordPress plugin can result in complete system compromise. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version 1.4.7, implementing additional file validation controls, restricting file upload permissions, and monitoring the wp-content/uploads directory for unauthorized files. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regularly updating third-party plugins and maintaining comprehensive security monitoring to detect and respond to such exploitation attempts effectively.