CVE-2014-9308 in WP EasyCart
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in inc/amfphp/administration/banneruploaderscript.php in the WP EasyCart (aka WordPress Shopping Cart) plugin before 3.0.9 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by uploading a file with an executable extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in products/banners/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The CVE-2014-9308 vulnerability represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw in the WP EasyCart WordPress plugin, which affected versions prior to 3.0.9. This vulnerability exists within the banner uploader script located at inc/amfphp/administration/banneruploaderscript.php and exposes the plugin to remote code execution attacks. The flaw occurs when authenticated users upload files with executable extensions such as .php, .asp, or .jsp to the products/banners/ directory, creating a persistent backdoor for attackers to execute malicious code on the compromised server. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and file extension filtering mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied filenames and content types during the upload process.
This security weakness directly maps to CWE-434, which describes the improper restriction of uploads of executable code, and represents a classic path traversal and code execution vulnerability. The attack vector requires only authenticated access to the WordPress admin interface, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate administrative privileges to bypass security controls. The vulnerability enables attackers to upload malicious scripts that can be executed directly through HTTP requests, potentially allowing full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent access points. The impact is amplified because the uploaded files are stored in a publicly accessible directory structure, eliminating the need for additional privilege escalation or complex exploitation techniques.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate code execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the compromised WordPress installation. Once a malicious file is uploaded, it can be accessed directly through the products/banners/ directory path, allowing attackers to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to data theft, server compromise, or use as a staging point for further attacks. The vulnerability affects not only individual WordPress sites but also creates potential for large-scale compromise when multiple sites use vulnerable versions of the WP EasyCart plugin. Organizations with multiple WordPress installations using this plugin face significant risk of coordinated attacks and lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9308 should prioritize immediate patching to version 3.0.9 or later, which addresses the core file upload validation issues. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive file upload restrictions including MIME type validation, filename sanitization, and storage of uploaded files outside the web root directory. Network segmentation and monitoring of file upload activities can help detect suspicious behavior, while implementing web application firewalls can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and vulnerability assessments, particularly for third-party plugins that may not receive timely security updates from their developers. Organizations should establish robust patch management processes to ensure rapid deployment of security updates across all WordPress installations and related components.