CVE-2015-4616 in Easy2Map Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in includes/MapPinImageSave.php in the Easy2Map plugin before 1.2.5 for WordPress allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the map_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The CVE-2015-4616 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Easy2Map WordPress plugin ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.2.5. This vulnerability resides in the includes/MapPinImageSave.php file and exposes the plugin to remote code execution risks through improper input validation. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate file creation operations by exploiting the map_id parameter with directory traversal sequences, particularly the .. (dot dot) notation that allows navigation outside the intended directory structure. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a crafted map_id parameter containing directory traversal sequences to the MapPinImageSave.php endpoint. The plugin fails to adequately sanitize or validate this input, allowing the malicious path traversal sequence to be processed directly by the file system operations. When the plugin attempts to save map pin images, it creates files in locations specified by the attacker's crafted path, potentially leading to arbitrary file creation in unintended directories. This flaw directly violates secure coding principles and demonstrates a critical lack of input validation and output encoding in the plugin's file handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file creation, as it provides attackers with the capability to potentially overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code, or establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress environment. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise the entire WordPress installation, especially when combined with other exploitation techniques or when the web server has elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects any WordPress site running the vulnerable Easy2Map plugin version, making it a widespread concern for site administrators who have not updated to the patched version. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-tenant hosting environments where a compromised site could potentially affect other hosted applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4616 require immediate action from WordPress administrators, including updating the Easy2Map plugin to version 1.2.5 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting file permissions on WordPress directories, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block directory traversal attempts, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers could potentially execute arbitrary commands through file creation, and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, since exploitation often requires valid administrative credentials for the WordPress installation. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular vulnerability scanning to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of their web applications.