CVE-2015-7683 in Font Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in Font.php in the Font plugin before 7.5.1 for WordPress allows remote administrators to read arbitrary files via a full pathname in the url parameter to AjaxProxy.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7683 represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within the Font plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 7.5.1 and specifically affects the Font.php component that handles font management operations. The flaw manifests through the AjaxProxy.php script which processes user input containing full pathnames in the url parameter, creating an avenue for unauthorized file access that can be exploited by remote administrators with malicious intent.
This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the WordPress plugin architecture. The Font plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize the url parameter passed to AjaxProxy.php, allowing attackers to supply absolute file paths that bypass normal access controls. When the system processes these malformed paths, it executes file operations against the specified locations without sufficient authorization checks, effectively enabling arbitrary file reading capabilities. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly impacts the file system integrity of affected WordPress installations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to access sensitive system files that may contain database credentials, configuration settings, or other critical data. Remote administrators with access to the vulnerable plugin interface can leverage this flaw to read files from the server filesystem, potentially obtaining administrative passwords, database connection strings, or other confidential information. This capability significantly elevates the risk level of the vulnerability and can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7683 primarily focus on immediate remediation through plugin version updates to 7.5.1 or later, which contain proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all WordPress plugins remain current with security updates. Additional protective measures include restricting administrative access to the plugin interface, implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through web shell deployment. System administrators should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular file integrity monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.