CVE-2015-20124 in Importer & Exporter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2026
Aspose Importer & Exporter plugin for WordPress before 3.0 contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to download arbitrary files via the unsanitized 'file' parameter. Attackers can send GET requests to aspose_import_export_download.php with traversal sequences like ../../../wp-config.php to read database credentials. Exploitation evidence was first observed by the Shadowserver Foundation on 2023-10-20.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2026
The Aspose Importer & Exporter plugin for WordPress, prior to version 3.0, contains a critical path traversal vulnerability that stems from insufficient input validation within its file handling mechanisms. This flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to access and download arbitrary files from the underlying server filesystem by manipulating the unsanitized 'file' parameter in HTTP GET requests directed at the aspose_import_export_download.php endpoint. The root cause of this issue lies in the application's failure to properly canonicalize or validate user-supplied file paths before processing them, a classic implementation error that violates fundamental security principles regarding input sanitization and access control boundaries.
From a technical perspective, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability by constructing malicious URLs containing directory traversal sequences such as ../../../wp-config.php. By injecting these relative path indicators into the 'file' parameter, the attacker forces the server to resolve paths outside of the intended web root or plugin directory structure. This capability effectively bypasses any implicit security restrictions that rely on file location assumptions, granting the attacker read access to sensitive configuration files, source code, and potentially other restricted resources stored within the WordPress installation's directory hierarchy. The vulnerability is particularly severe because it requires no authentication, meaning any visitor to a site running this vulnerable version can execute the attack without prior credentials or privileges.
The operational impact of exploiting this path traversal flaw is significant, primarily due to the potential for credential theft and subsequent system compromise. By downloading files such as wp-config.php, attackers gain immediate access to database connection strings containing plaintext usernames and passwords. These credentials often provide elevated access not only to the WordPress database but potentially to other services if password reuse occurs across infrastructure components. Furthermore, exposure of source code can reveal additional logic flaws or hardcoded secrets that facilitate further exploitation steps. The presence of this vulnerability in a widely used plugin amplifies its risk profile, as many organizations may have deployed it without realizing the associated security implications until an active exploit was observed in the wild by threat intelligence providers like the Shadowserver Foundation on October 20, 2023.
This incident aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which describes vulnerabilities where software does not properly neutralize special elements within file paths that could resolve to files or directories outside of the intended set. In terms of cyber kill chain and adversary tactics, this exploitation technique corresponds to ATT&CK tactic T1530: Data from Local System, specifically sub-technique T1530.001 which involves data staging via local file access. The ability to read arbitrary files is often a precursor to more destructive actions such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network environment.
To mitigate this vulnerability and prevent further exploitation, immediate action must be taken by administrators of WordPress sites using the Aspose Importer & Exporter plugin. The primary remediation step is to upgrade the plugin to version 3.0 or later, where the developers have presumably implemented proper input validation and path canonicalization checks to ensure that file requests remain within allowed boundaries. If upgrading is not immediately feasible due to compatibility constraints, temporary mitigations should include restricting access to the aspose_import_export_download.php endpoint via web server configuration rules such as .htaccess directives or firewall policies that block known traversal patterns like ../ in query parameters. Additionally, implementing strict Content Security Policies and monitoring for unusual file download activity can help detect ongoing exploitation attempts while permanent fixes are deployed. Regular security audits and patch management processes are essential to maintain the integrity of WordPress ecosystems against similar input validation flaws.