CVE-2015-10140 in Ajax Load More Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2025
The Ajax Load More plugin before 2.8.1.2 does not have authorisation in some of its AJAX actions, allowing any authenticated users, such as subscriber, to upload and delete arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-10140 affects the Ajax Load More WordPress plugin version 2.8.1.1 and earlier, presenting a critical authorization flaw that enables authenticated users with minimal privileges to execute arbitrary file operations. This issue stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the plugin's AJAX handling functionality, specifically in certain AJAX actions that should require administrative privileges but instead accept requests from any authenticated user account. The flaw represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that undermines the principle of least privilege and can be classified under CWE-863, which deals with incorrect authorization conditions. The vulnerability allows attackers to perform file upload and deletion operations without proper authentication, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to compromise the affected WordPress installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the plugin's AJAX processing endpoints where the code fails to verify user capabilities or roles before executing file operations. When authenticated users, including low-privilege subscribers, make requests to specific AJAX actions, the system processes these requests without validating whether the user possesses sufficient permissions to perform the requested operations. This misconfiguration allows unauthorized file manipulation through the WordPress AJAX interface, which is typically used for legitimate plugin functionality but becomes a vector for exploitation when proper access controls are absent. The flaw specifically impacts the plugin's ability to handle file operations securely, enabling attackers to upload malicious files or delete existing ones, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within the WordPress environment. An attacker with subscriber-level access could upload web shells or other malicious payloads that would execute with the privileges of the web server, potentially leading to full system compromise. The ability to delete files also creates opportunities for denial of service attacks or data destruction, while the file upload capability enables persistent backdoors or additional attack vectors. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials and abuse of access to access the system, as it allows low-privilege users to gain elevated capabilities through legitimate plugin interfaces. The risk is particularly severe because the vulnerability affects a widely used plugin, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-10140 require immediate action to upgrade the Ajax Load More plugin to version 2.8.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary authorization fixes. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including restricting access to AJAX endpoints through firewall rules, implementing proper role-based access controls, and monitoring for suspicious file upload activities. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws, and the principle of least privilege should be strictly enforced throughout the WordPress installation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious AJAX requests, as well as maintaining up-to-date security monitoring tools that can identify unauthorized file operations within the system. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authorization checks in web applications and the potential for seemingly minor security flaws to create significant risks when exploited by attackers with minimal privileges.