CVE-2015-4336 in XCloner Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
cloner.functions.php in the XCloner plugin 3.1.2 for WordPress allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via a file containing filenames with shell metacharacters, as demonstrated by using the backup comments feature to create the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4336 resides within the XCloner plugin version 3.1.2 for WordPress, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary system commands. This vulnerability specifically affects the cloner.functions.php component where input validation and sanitization mechanisms fail to properly handle user-supplied data containing shell metacharacters. The attack vector exploits the backup comments feature, which allows users to include filenames with potentially malicious shell metacharacters that get processed without adequate sanitization, creating a direct pathway for command injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the plugin's backup functionality where user-provided comments are directly incorporated into shell commands without proper escaping or validation. When authenticated users submit backup comments containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, these characters are interpreted by the underlying shell during command execution, allowing attackers to inject additional malicious commands. This flaw aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and specifically manifests as a command injection vulnerability that bypasses normal access controls since the attacker only needs authenticated access to the WordPress system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. An authenticated attacker can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities, escalate privileges, install backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the compromised WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations running the vulnerable XCloner plugin version, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have administrative access or where the plugin is widely deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4336 should prioritize immediate patching of the XCloner plugin to version 3.1.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for input validation and sanitization. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to WordPress administrative interfaces and consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious command injection attempts. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns and unauthorized file modifications within the WordPress installation directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of malicious commands through web application interfaces.