CVE-2014-8749 in BulletProof Security
Summary
by MITRE
Server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in admin/htaccess/bpsunlock.php in the BulletProof Security plugin before .51.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to trigger outbound requests that authenticate to arbitrary databases via the dbhost parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
The CVE-2014-8749 vulnerability represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within the BulletProof Security WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 51.1. This vulnerability resides in the admin/htaccess/bpsunlock.php file and demonstrates a classic SSRF weakness that enables remote attackers to manipulate outbound network requests from the vulnerable server. The flaw manifests through the dbhost parameter which is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization, creating an attack vector where malicious actors can coerce the server into establishing connections to arbitrary database endpoints. The vulnerability's exploitation capability extends beyond simple network reconnaissance, as it allows attackers to authenticate to databases that the compromised server can reach, potentially enabling data exfiltration or database compromise. This represents a significant escalation from typical SSRF vulnerabilities since it leverages legitimate authentication mechanisms rather than merely bypassing access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the plugin's administrative interface. When the dbhost parameter is passed to the bpsunlock.php script, the application fails to validate or sanitize the input before using it in outbound connection attempts. This processing flow creates an environment where attacker-controlled input directly influences the destination of network requests, violating fundamental security principles of input validation and least privilege access. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the BulletProof Security plugin typically operates with elevated privileges and network access capabilities within WordPress environments, making the compromise of this component particularly dangerous. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-918, Server-Side Request Forgery, which specifically addresses vulnerabilities where applications fetch resources based on user-supplied input without proper validation of the destination. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as the exploitation may involve DNS resolution of attacker-controlled targets.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8749 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable comprehensive database compromise within the attacker's network perimeter. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance on internal network databases, potentially discovering additional systems, services, or credentials that exist within the same network segment. The vulnerability's ability to authenticate to databases means that attackers can directly access sensitive data stored in backend systems, bypassing traditional network security controls that might otherwise protect database resources. This threat is particularly concerning in WordPress environments where BulletProof Security is often deployed to provide enhanced security, as the compromise of this plugin undermines the very security measures it was designed to enforce. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for lateral movement within networks, as successful exploitation can reveal database connection strings, credentials, or other sensitive information that attackers can use to access additional systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8749 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary recommendation involves updating to BulletProof Security plugin version 51.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to validate and sanitize the dbhost parameter. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to prevent outbound connections from WordPress servers to internal database systems, using firewalls or network access control lists to limit communication paths. Input validation controls should be strengthened to ensure that all parameters passed to administrative scripts undergo proper sanitization and validation before being used in network operations. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege for WordPress server accounts can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, ensuring that even if the vulnerability is exploited, attackers cannot access resources beyond what is strictly necessary for the application's operation. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual outbound network connections from WordPress servers, particularly those targeting database ports or services that are not part of the legitimate application architecture. The vulnerability underscores the importance of validating all user inputs in administrative interfaces and implementing comprehensive security testing for all web application components that handle external resource access.