CVE-2015-9470 in history-collection Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The history-collection plugin through 1.1.1 for WordPress has directory traversal via the download.php var parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9470 affects the history-collection plugin version 1.1.1 and earlier for the WordPress content management system. This issue represents a directory traversal attack vector that allows unauthorized users to access files outside the intended directory structure through manipulation of the download.php parameter. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's file download functionality, which fails to properly validate user input before processing file paths. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate to sensitive files on the server filesystem.
The technical flaw resides in the plugin's insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the download.php script. When the plugin processes the var parameter, it does not adequately sanitize or restrict the input to prevent path traversal attacks. This allows an attacker to manipulate the file path parameter to access files that should remain protected, potentially including configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive system information. The vulnerability operates at the application level and demonstrates poor secure coding practices in input handling, which aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The flaw essentially permits arbitrary file access, making it a critical security concern for any WordPress installation using this vulnerable plugin.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this directory traversal vulnerability can potentially access sensitive data including wp-config.php files containing database credentials, user authentication details, or other critical system files. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. This vulnerability can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as it enables attackers to enumerate and access files outside the intended application scope. Additionally, the vulnerability may facilitate further attacks such as remote code execution if sensitive files containing code or configuration information are accessed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9470 should include immediate patching of the history-collection plugin to version 1.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement proper input validation at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are sanitized and validated before processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious directory traversal attempts, though these should not be relied upon as the sole defense mechanism. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins and themes. The WordPress core team recommends maintaining all plugins and themes at their latest versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities, as this particular issue was resolved in subsequent releases of the plugin. Organizations should also implement principle of least privilege access controls and regularly monitor their systems for unauthorized file access attempts.