CVE-2015-9455 in buddypress-activity-plus Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The buddypress-activity-plus plugin before 1.6.2 for WordPress has CSRF with resultant directory traversal via the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php bpfb_photos[] parameter in a bpfb_remove_temp_images action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2024
The buddypress-activity-plus plugin vulnerability CVE-2015-9455 represents a critical security flaw that combines cross-site request forgery with directory traversal capabilities within the WordPress ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.6.2 and resides in the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint where the bpfb_photos[] parameter is processed through the bpfb_remove_temp_images action. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate file operations in ways that could compromise the entire WordPress installation and underlying server infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted cross-site request forgery attack that leverages the plugin's handling of temporary image files. When an authenticated user visits a malicious website or clicks on a compromised link, the CSRF attack can trigger the bpfb_remove_temp_images action with maliciously crafted bpfb_photos[] parameters. These parameters are then processed without proper validation, allowing an attacker to specify arbitrary directory paths that could lead to directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and validation of user-supplied data within the plugin's AJAX handler, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate file system operations beyond the intended scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive files, system information, and the ability to execute arbitrary code on the affected server. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to traverse directories and potentially overwrite or delete critical system files, leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector becomes particularly dangerous when combined with the fact that the vulnerability operates within the WordPress admin interface, which typically runs with elevated privileges, providing attackers with increased access levels. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Directory Traversal) and CWE-352 (Cross-Site Request Forgery) categories, representing a sophisticated attack pattern that exploits weaknesses in web application security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9455 require immediate action including updating the buddypress-activity-plus plugin to version 1.6.2 or later, which contains proper input validation and CSRF protection mechanisms. Organizations should implement additional security measures such as enforcing strict input validation on all parameters processed through AJAX endpoints, implementing proper CSRF tokens for all admin actions, and regularly monitoring for unauthorized modifications to WordPress plugins. Network-level protections including web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.