CVE-2015-1784 in nextgen-gallery Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/07/2022
In nextgen-galery wordpress plugin before 2.0.77.3 there are two vulnerabilities which can allow an attacker to gain full access over the web application. The vulnerabilities lie in how the application validates user uploaded files and lack of security measures preventing unwanted HTTP requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2022
The CVE-2015-1784 vulnerability affects the nextgen-galery wordpress plugin version prior to 2.0.77.3, representing a critical security flaw that exposes web applications to full compromise. This vulnerability stems from inadequate file validation mechanisms and insufficient protection against unauthorized HTTP requests, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to infiltrate wordpress installations. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user-uploaded content and its HTTP request processing capabilities, which together form a dangerous combination that can lead to complete system takeover.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two primary attack vectors that collectively weaken the plugin's security posture. The first vector involves improper file validation during user upload processes, where the plugin fails to adequately verify the file types and content of uploaded media. This weakness allows attackers to upload malicious files that can execute arbitrary code on the target server. The second vector relates to insufficient HTTP request filtering mechanisms that permit unauthorized access patterns and potentially enable attackers to manipulate the application's internal processes through crafted requests. These flaws align with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-20 for improper input validation and CWE-434 for insecure file upload handling, both of which are fundamental security concerns in web application development.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1784 extends beyond simple data compromise to include complete system takeover capabilities. Attackers exploiting these vulnerabilities can gain administrative access to wordpress installations, enabling them to modify content, steal sensitive data, install backdoors, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the widespread use of the nextgen-galery plugin, making numerous wordpress sites susceptible to exploitation. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to tactics described in the attack tree framework where initial access leads to privilege escalation and persistent presence within target environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1784 require immediate action to address both identified weaknesses. The most critical remediation involves upgrading the nextgen-galery plugin to version 2.0.77.3 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to resolve both validation and HTTP request handling issues. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive file upload restrictions including MIME type validation, file extension filtering, and content scanning mechanisms. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Security hardening measures should also include implementing proper access controls, monitoring for unusual HTTP request patterns, and establishing regular security audits of installed plugins and themes. The vulnerability's characteristics align with attack patterns documented in the mitre attack framework where initial access through vulnerable web applications leads to broader system compromise and persistent access.