CVE-2015-5468 in WP e-Commerce Shop Styling Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the WP e-Commerce Shop Styling plugin before 2.6 for WordPress allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the filename parameter to includes/download.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2025
The CVE-2015-5468 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the WP e-Commerce Shop Styling plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 2.6. This vulnerability resides within the includes/download.php script and enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system through manipulation of the filename parameter using directory traversal sequences. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before processing file operations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious requests that include .. (dot dot) sequences in the filename parameter, effectively allowing them to traverse the file system and access files outside the intended directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal attacks as a common weakness in web applications. The flaw operates at the application layer where user input directly influences file system operations without proper boundary checks. When the plugin processes the filename parameter in download.php, it fails to validate that the requested file path remains within the intended directory scope. This allows attackers to construct paths such as ../../etc/passwd or ../../../wp-config.php, enabling access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially database credentials that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's download functionality, which is designed to serve files to users but becomes exploitable when the input validation is bypassed.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5468 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical system resources. Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to retrieve sensitive files including WordPress configuration files, database connection details, and potentially other system configuration files that could reveal additional attack vectors. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file discovery activities, as attackers can systematically explore the file system to identify valuable targets. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in WordPress environments where plugins often have elevated privileges and can access sensitive data. The impact is compounded by the fact that the WP e-Commerce plugin was widely used, making numerous WordPress installations vulnerable to this specific attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5468 primarily focus on immediate patching and implementation of proper input validation controls. The most effective remediation is upgrading to WP e-Commerce Shop Styling plugin version 2.6 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement web application firewall rules that block directory traversal sequences in file path parameters, particularly filtering for .. characters and similar traversal patterns. Additional defensive measures include restricting file access permissions to prevent unauthorized reading of sensitive files, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, and conducting regular security audits of plugin installations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper secure coding practices and input validation, as the issue could have been prevented through basic security controls such as whitelisting allowed file extensions or implementing proper path validation before file operations are executed.