CVE-2014-6059 in Access Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
WordPress Advanced Access Manager Plugin before 2.8.2 has an Arbitrary File Overwrite Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2025
The WordPress Advanced Access Manager plugin version 2.8.1 and earlier contains a critical arbitrary file overwrite vulnerability that allows remote attackers to replace arbitrary files on the target system with malicious content. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper file handling mechanisms within the plugin's core functionality. The flaw exists in the plugin's file management routines where user-supplied parameters are directly used to construct file paths without adequate sanitization or verification processes. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that target specific file paths, enabling them to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even inject malicious code into existing WordPress components. The vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it bypasses normal WordPress file permissions and access controls, potentially allowing full system compromise. This issue falls under the CWE-930 weakness category, which encompasses insecure deserialization and improper input validation that leads to arbitrary file operations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code through file overwrite operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal privileges and can be achieved through simple HTTP requests that manipulate the plugin's file handling functions. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted POST or GET requests to the plugin's administrative endpoints, where the vulnerable code processes user inputs to determine file destinations. When the plugin processes these inputs, it fails to validate whether the target file path is within the intended scope, allowing attackers to specify absolute paths or traverse directories to overwrite critical system files. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the filesystem level, bypassing traditional web application firewalls and security measures that typically monitor HTTP traffic. This weakness enables attackers to overwrite WordPress core files, plugin files, or even server configuration files, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The impact extends beyond simple file replacement as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, modify authentication mechanisms, or deploy additional malware components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, affecting not only individual WordPress installations but also broader network security postures. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the Advanced Access Manager plugin face immediate risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and system compromise. The vulnerability can be exploited silently without generating obvious alerts, making detection challenging for security monitoring systems. Successful exploitation allows attackers to maintain persistence on compromised systems, potentially leading to extended attack campaigns and lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity and availability of WordPress sites, as attackers can corrupt or delete critical files, leading to service disruption and potential data loss. From a compliance perspective, organizations may face regulatory violations and security audit failures due to unpatched vulnerabilities of this nature. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in reputational damage, financial losses, and legal consequences for organizations that fail to maintain proper security patching procedures. Security teams must prioritize immediate remediation efforts and implement additional monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary and most effective mitigation is to upgrade to version 2.8.2 or later of the Advanced Access Manager plugin, which includes proper input validation and file path sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable WordPress installations to external threats. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file modification patterns and unauthorized access attempts to plugin directories. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other plugins and themes. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, configuring proper file permissions, and establishing automated patch management processes. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts targeting known vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated plugins to ensure compatibility with existing WordPress installations and security configurations. Regular security training for administrators and developers can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in custom code or third-party components. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and following secure coding practices that prevent common weaknesses such as improper input validation and insecure file operations.