CVE-2014-9461 in Cart66 Lite
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in models/Cart66.php in the Cart66 Lite plugin before 1.5.4 for WordPress allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the member_download action to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9461 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Cart66 Lite plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.5.4. This security weakness resides in the models/Cart66.php file and enables remote authenticated attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system through a carefully crafted directory traversal attack. The vulnerability manifests when the member_download action is invoked through the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint, which serves as a legitimate WordPress AJAX handler for administrative functions. This flaw leverages the fundamental weakness in path resolution where user-controllable input is not properly sanitized before being used in file operations, creating an opportunity for attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic directory traversal pattern where the attacker can manipulate the input parameter to include sequences such as "../" that allow navigation up the directory tree. When the Cart66 plugin processes the member_download action, it likely constructs file paths based on user input without proper validation or sanitization of the directory traversal sequences. This allows an authenticated user to specify file paths that extend beyond the intended download directories, potentially accessing sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or other system files that should remain protected. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication, meaning that only users who have already established access to the WordPress administrative interface can exploit this weakness, though this still represents a significant security risk as it allows for privilege escalation and information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file reading capabilities and represents a serious threat to the confidentiality and integrity of the WordPress installation. An attacker who has gained access to a user account with sufficient privileges can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the server, potentially including database connection details, plugin configurations, or even administrative credentials stored in configuration files. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1083 for File and Directory Discovery. The attack vector specifically follows the pattern of privilege escalation through information gathering, where an authenticated user can leverage a directory traversal vulnerability to access files that should be restricted. The implications are particularly severe in environments where WordPress installations contain sensitive business data or where the plugin is used for handling financial transactions, as the exposure of configuration files or log files could provide attackers with additional attack vectors or sensitive data.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability focus on immediate patching of the Cart66 Lite plugin to version 1.5.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent directory traversal attacks. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to ensure that any user-controllable input used in file operations is properly validated before being processed. This includes implementing strict path validation that prevents the use of directory traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\" in file path construction. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation ensures that even if such vulnerabilities exist, attackers cannot escalate their privileges or access files beyond their intended scope. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of input validation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in path handling can lead to significant security breaches. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include checks for directory traversal vulnerabilities, particularly in applications that handle file operations or user-controllable file paths. The remediation process should also involve monitoring for any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.