CVE-2015-3301 in TheCartPress eCommerce Shopping Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the TheCartPress eCommerce Shopping Cart (aka The Professional WordPress eCommerce Plugin) plugin for WordPress before 1.3.9.3 allows remote administrators to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the tcp_box_path parameter in the checkout_editor_settings page to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3301 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within TheCartPress eCommerce plugin for WordPress systems. This issue affects versions prior to 1.3.9.3 and specifically targets the checkout_editor_settings page located at wp-admin/admin.php. The flaw manifests when the tcp_box_path parameter receives input containing .. (dot dot) sequences, enabling attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only administrator-level privileges to exploit, making it accessible to malicious actors who have gained administrative access to a WordPress site. TheCartPress plugin, being a professional WordPress eCommerce solution, typically handles sensitive customer data and business-critical information, amplifying the potential impact of this vulnerability. This type of directory traversal vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and sanitization, where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into file system operations without adequate restrictions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, user data, and other critical system components. When an administrator accesses the checkout_editor_settings page with a malicious tcp_box_path parameter, the application processes the .. sequences without proper validation, allowing the attacker to traverse directories and retrieve files that should remain protected. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through directory listing and file access methods. The attack vector is particularly dangerous in WordPress environments where administrators often have elevated privileges and may be targeted through various social engineering or exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's exploitation is straightforward and does not require complex attack chains, making it a preferred target for attackers seeking to gain deeper access to compromised systems. Given that TheCartPress plugin is designed for eCommerce operations, the potential for financial and data theft is significant, as attackers could access customer databases, payment information, and other sensitive business data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3301 should prioritize immediate patching of the TheCartPress plugin to version 1.3.9.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the directory traversal vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to prevent similar issues in other components of the WordPress ecosystem. The remediation process should include thorough security auditing of all WordPress plugins and themes to identify potential path traversal vulnerabilities. Organizations should also establish robust access control measures, ensuring that administrative privileges are strictly limited to authorized personnel and that multi-factor authentication is implemented. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary administrative functions and implementing proper file system permissions to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated, as many vulnerabilities remain unpatched due to delayed updates or lack of awareness among site administrators. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious path traversal attempts before they can be executed successfully.