CVE-2014-9262 in Duplicator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Duplicator plugin in Wordpress before 0.5.10 allows remote authenticated users to create and download backup files.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9262 affects the Duplicator plugin for WordPress versions prior to 0.5.10, representing a critical security flaw that enables authenticated attackers to exploit backup functionality for unauthorized data access. This issue falls under the category of privilege escalation and unauthorized data access, as it allows users with legitimate WordPress accounts to leverage the plugin's backup creation features for malicious purposes. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms within the plugin's backup management system, where proper access controls are insufficiently enforced. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of user permissions during backup file generation and download operations, creating a pathway for authenticated users to bypass normal restrictions that should prevent them from accessing backup files created by other users or system administrators.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control checks within the Duplicator plugin's backup management functions. When authenticated users initiate backup creation or download operations, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has appropriate authorization to access the specific backup files being targeted. This weakness creates a directory traversal or access control bypass scenario where users can manipulate the backup file paths or download parameters to retrieve backup archives that should be restricted to administrators or specific user groups. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the legitimate plugin functionality, making it difficult to detect through standard security monitoring approaches. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in access control mechanisms and potentially a CWE-284 issue related to improper access control. The flaw can be exploited through crafted HTTP requests that manipulate the backup file parameters, allowing attackers to create and download backup files from the server without proper authorization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access, as it enables attackers to potentially extract sensitive information from WordPress installations. Backup files often contain database credentials, configuration settings, user information, and other sensitive data that could be leveraged for further attacks within the compromised environment. Attackers could use this vulnerability to create backups of the entire WordPress installation, including potentially sensitive configuration files or database dumps containing user credentials and personal information. This capability significantly increases the risk of data breaches and provides attackers with comprehensive access to the target system's data. The vulnerability also enables potential lateral movement within network environments where WordPress installations are part of larger infrastructure, as backup files may contain information useful for accessing other systems or services. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, potentially supporting subsequent stages of attack such as persistence or data exfiltration. The impact is particularly severe in multi-user WordPress environments where administrators may not properly monitor or restrict backup access permissions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9262 require immediate patching of the Duplicator plugin to version 0.5.10 or later, which includes proper access control enforcement and input validation. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting backup file access through web server configuration, ensuring that backup directories are not accessible directly through web requests. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins should be conducted to identify and remediate similar access control vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and monitoring of backup file creation activities can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege for WordPress user accounts, ensuring that users only have access to functionality necessary for their specific roles. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and underscores the need for thorough security testing of plugin and theme functionality. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to backup file access and implement logging mechanisms that track backup creation and download activities to detect unauthorized access attempts.