CVE-2014-8801 in Paid Memberships Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in services/getfile.php in the Paid Memberships Pro plugin before 1.7.15 for WordPress allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the QUERY_STRING in a getfile action to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8801 affects the Paid Memberships Pro plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions prior to 1.7.15. This vulnerability exists within the services/getfile.php component and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system. The vulnerability manifests when the getfile action is invoked through wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with a malicious QUERY_STRING containing directory traversal sequences. This flaw falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental weakness in access control mechanisms. The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal file access restrictions and retrieve sensitive files that should remain protected within the WordPress installation directory structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the QUERY_STRING parameter in HTTP requests sent to the WordPress admin-ajax.php endpoint. When the getfile action is processed, the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters, allowing attackers to inject directory traversal sequences such as .. to navigate upward in the file system hierarchy. This enables unauthorized access to files that may contain sensitive information including database credentials, configuration files, user data, and other confidential resources. The attack vector specifically targets the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php interface which is commonly used for handling asynchronous requests in WordPress, making it an attractive target for exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal flaw where insufficient input validation permits attackers to access files outside the intended directory scope, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8801 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access critical system files that could contain database connection details, cryptographic keys, or other sensitive configuration data. This vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress installations that are publicly accessible. The compromise of such files can lead to further attacks including database breaches, credential theft, and potential full system compromise. Organizations running affected versions of the Paid Memberships Pro plugin face significant risk of data exposure and unauthorized access to their WordPress environments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers can leverage this flaw to gather intelligence about the target system and potentially deliver additional payloads.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to Paid Memberships Pro version 1.7.15 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent directory traversal attacks. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious directory traversal patterns in HTTP requests. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper parameter validation and ensuring that file paths are properly constrained to prevent upward directory navigation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in requests to admin-ajax.php endpoints, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized users can access administrative interfaces. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected plugins or components within their WordPress installations, as this vulnerability type remains prevalent in web applications. The remediation process should include verifying that the updated plugin functions correctly and that no regression issues have been introduced in the security fixes.