CVE-2015-9474 in Simpolio Theme
Summary
by MITRE
The Simpolio theme 1.3.2 for WordPress has insufficient restrictions on option updates.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2024
The CVE-2015-9474 vulnerability resides within the Simpolio WordPress theme version 1.3.2, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of affected websites. This vulnerability specifically targets the theme's handling of option updates, which are fundamental configuration parameters that control various aspects of website functionality and appearance. The flaw stems from inadequate validation and authorization checks during the process of modifying theme options, creating a pathway for unauthorized modification of critical system parameters. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in content management systems like WordPress where themes and plugins often require elevated privileges to function correctly, yet may not properly enforce these privileges when processing user input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit the insufficient restrictions by crafting specially formatted requests that bypass normal access controls. When the theme processes option updates, it fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges to modify specific configuration parameters. This weakness aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because theme options often control core website behavior, including user authentication mechanisms, file upload restrictions, and other security-sensitive parameters that are typically protected from unauthorized modification.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for WordPress website administrators who may unknowingly expose their sites to unauthorized modification. Attackers can leverage this flaw to alter theme settings that control user permissions, modify website appearance in ways that could facilitate further attacks, or potentially gain access to sensitive configuration data. The impact extends beyond simple theme customization, as compromised theme options can affect the entire website's security model and may provide attackers with footholds for more extensive breaches. According to ATT&CK framework category T1068, this vulnerability enables privilege escalation by allowing unauthorized users to modify system settings that should require administrative access, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9474 should prioritize immediate theme updates to versions that address the insufficient authorization checks. Administrators must ensure that all WordPress themes and plugins are regularly updated to their latest secure versions, as the vulnerability likely exists in the specific version mentioned and may have been patched in subsequent releases. Additionally, implementing proper access controls through WordPress's built-in user role management can provide an additional layer of protection, ensuring that only authorized administrators can modify theme options. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and input validation rules can also help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized modifications have occurred. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following security best practices including principle of least privilege, regular security assessments, and maintaining up-to-date software components to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in web applications.