CVE-2015-3634 in Slideshow Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The SlideshowPluginSlideshowStylesheet::loadStylesheetByAJAX function in the Slideshow plugin 2.2.8 through 2.2.21 for Wordpress allows remote attackers to read arbitrary Wordpress option values.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3634 resides within the Slideshow plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions 2.2.8 through 2.2.21. This security flaw manifests in the SlideshowStylesheet::loadStylesheetByAJAX function which improperly handles AJAX requests, creating a critical access control weakness that allows remote attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference where the plugin fails to validate user permissions before processing requests for stylesheet loading operations. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and enables unauthorized data extraction from the WordPress installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the AJAX handler function. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted request to the slideshow plugin's stylesheet loading endpoint, the function processes the request without verifying whether the requester possesses appropriate administrative privileges or authorization to access the targeted WordPress options. The function likely accepts parameters that specify which stylesheet or option values should be loaded, but fails to implement proper access controls or authentication checks. This allows attackers to manipulate the request parameters to target sensitive WordPress configuration options, effectively creating a data exfiltration vector that can be exploited from any location with network access to the vulnerable WordPress site.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to critical WordPress configuration data that may include database credentials, API keys, or other sensitive administrative settings. The exposure of WordPress options through this vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate their privileges, modify plugin configurations, or extract enough information to launch subsequent attacks against the WordPress installation. According to CWE-284, this vulnerability falls under improper access control, while ATT&CK technique T1213.002 describes the exploitation of credential dumping through web application vulnerabilities. The compromise of WordPress options can significantly weaken the overall security posture of the web application, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected Slideshow plugin to versions that properly implement access controls and authentication checks for AJAX requests. Administrators should ensure that all WordPress plugins are kept up to date and regularly audited for security vulnerabilities. The implementation of proper input validation and output encoding practices should be enforced, with the addition of proper access control mechanisms that verify user permissions before processing any requests for sensitive data. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability pattern. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar access control weaknesses in their WordPress installations and other web applications.