CVE-2015-1172 in Holding Pattern
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in admin/upload-file.php in the Holding Pattern theme (aka holding_pattern) 0.6 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by uploading a file with a PHP extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The CVE-2015-1172 vulnerability represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw in the Holding Pattern WordPress theme version 0.6 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk to affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the admin/upload-file.php component within the theme's administrative interface, creating an avenue for remote attackers to bypass normal file validation mechanisms and execute malicious code on the target server. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization processes that fail to properly restrict file types, allowing attackers to upload PHP files with malicious payloads directly to the web server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a straightforward yet dangerous exploitation path where attackers can upload PHP shellcode or other malicious scripts with .php extensions to the server. Once the malicious file is successfully uploaded to an unspecified directory within the web root, attackers can directly access the file through HTTP requests, enabling remote code execution capabilities. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434, which describes the improper restriction of uploads of executable files, and represents a classic example of insecure file upload handling that has been consistently identified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates within the WordPress administrative context, potentially providing attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1172 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it can enable complete system compromise and persistent access for attackers. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to establish backdoors, deploy additional malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used WordPress theme increases its potential attack surface significantly, as numerous websites may be affected without proper patching or security hardening. This type of vulnerability typically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, and can lead to broader compromise through lateral movement and privilege escalation activities. Organizations running vulnerable WordPress installations face the risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations due to the exposure of sensitive information and unauthorized access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1172 require immediate action including upgrading to the patched version of the Holding Pattern theme, implementing proper file upload validation mechanisms, and establishing restrictive file type filtering. Administrators should enforce strict file extension validation, implement file content verification, and ensure that uploaded files are stored outside the web root directory to prevent direct execution. Additional protective measures include configuring web server restrictions to prevent execution of PHP files in upload directories, implementing proper access controls, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress installations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of keeping all WordPress themes and plugins updated, as well as implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect and respond to unauthorized file uploads. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against similar file upload vulnerabilities.