CVE-2015-4414 in SE HTML5 Album Audio Player
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in download_audio.php in the SE HTML5 Album Audio Player (se-html5-album-audio-player) plugin 1.1.0 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2025
The CVE-2015-4414 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the SE HTML5 Album Audio Player WordPress plugin version 1.1.0 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the download_audio.php script which processes file parameters without adequate input validation, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server. The flaw specifically manifests when the file parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) which should normally be rejected or sanitized by the application. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability directly enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive files that should remain protected within the web server's file system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input sanitization in the download_audio.php script where user-supplied file parameters are directly used to construct file paths without adequate validation or filtering. When an attacker submits a malicious file parameter containing sequences like ../../../etc/passwd or similar traversal patterns, the application processes these paths without proper boundary checking, allowing access to files outside the intended directory structure. This flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level, potentially enabling attackers to read configuration files, database credentials, wp-config.php, plugin files, or even system files that contain sensitive information. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk when combined with other exploits, though the immediate impact is primarily information disclosure through arbitrary file reading capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4414 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to potentially access sensitive configuration data that could lead to further exploitation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read WordPress core files, plugin files, theme files, and potentially database connection details stored in configuration files. This access could enable more sophisticated attacks including credential theft, privilege escalation, or the discovery of other vulnerabilities within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations running the affected plugin version, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple sites are hosted on the same server or where the plugin is widely deployed. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers can use the information gathered to craft more targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4414 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the SE HTML5 Album Audio Player plugin, as the vulnerability was resolved in subsequent releases through proper input validation and sanitization of file parameters. Administrators should also implement proper file access controls, restrict file upload capabilities, and ensure that all WordPress plugins are regularly updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal patterns, restricting file system permissions for WordPress directories, and conducting regular security audits to identify potentially vulnerable components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper access control mechanisms, with security practices aligned to standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to prevent similar issues in future deployments.