CVE-2015-5682 in Powerplay Gallery Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
upload.php in the Powerplay Gallery plugin 3.3 for WordPress allows remote attackers to create arbitrary directories via vectors related to the targetDir variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5682 resides within the Powerplay Gallery plugin version 3.3 for WordPress, specifically in the upload.php file where improper input validation leads to directory traversal and arbitrary directory creation capabilities. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers to manipulate the file system structure on vulnerable WordPress installations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of the targetDir variable, which is used to determine where uploaded files should be stored within the web server's directory structure. Attackers can manipulate this variable to specify arbitrary directory paths, potentially leading to unauthorized directory creation and file placement in locations that should remain protected or restricted.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a pattern that aligns with common web application security flaws categorized under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal file upload restrictions and create directories anywhere within the web server's file system that the web application process has write permissions. This can result in directory traversal attacks where malicious actors can create directories in unexpected locations, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities such as web shell deployment or privilege escalation. The attack vector specifically targets the upload functionality of the Powerplay Gallery plugin, which is designed to handle media file uploads but fails to properly validate or sanitize the destination directory parameter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple directory creation, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access points within the web application environment. When combined with other vulnerabilities or through careful exploitation, this flaw can lead to complete system compromise by allowing attackers to place malicious files in strategic locations such as the web root or other sensitive directories. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations that use the Powerplay Gallery plugin version 3.3, which was widely deployed across numerous websites, making the potential attack surface substantial. This type of vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments or shared hosting scenarios where one compromised website could potentially affect others on the same server.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the Powerplay Gallery plugin to version 3.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the directory traversal issue. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied data, particularly parameters used in file system operations, should be enforced through the use of allowlists for directory paths and strict validation of file paths before any directory creation or file operations occur. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious directory traversal patterns, as well as monitoring for unusual directory creation activities in web server logs. The remediation process should include verifying that the web application process runs with minimal required privileges and that proper access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized directory creation operations. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices such as those recommended in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter to prevent unauthorized system modifications through file system manipulation.