CVE-2014-9119 in DB Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in download.php in the DB Backup plugin 4.5 and earlier for Wordpress allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The CVE-2014-9119 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the WordPress DB Backup plugin version 4.5 and earlier, specifically affecting the download.php script. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation within the file parameter processing, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and access unauthorized system resources. The flaw enables remote attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive files from the web server's file system through crafted requests containing directory traversal sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied input in the download.php script. When the plugin processes the file parameter, it fails to adequately validate or sanitize the input before using it in file operations. Attackers can exploit this by submitting malicious file paths containing .. (dot dot) sequences that traverse up the directory structure, effectively allowing them to navigate beyond the intended download directory and access arbitrary files on the server. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, a well-documented vulnerability pattern in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially expose sensitive data including database credentials, configuration files, wp-config.php, and other system files that may contain authentication tokens or other critical information. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the WordPress installation's underlying file system, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations using the affected plugin version, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable website, regardless of their authentication status.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. Immediate remediation involves upgrading the DB Backup plugin to version 4.6 or later, where the directory traversal issue has been patched. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious traversal attempts, while proper file system permissions should be enforced to limit access to sensitive files even if traversal attacks succeed. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in application security, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 - Valid Accounts and T1566 - Phishing, as attackers often leverage such vulnerabilities to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Organizations should also conduct regular security audits of their WordPress installations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes that may expose similar path traversal flaws.