CVE-2015-9476 in Teardrop Theme
Summary
by MITRE
The Teardrop theme 1.8.1 for WordPress has insufficient restrictions on option updates.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9476 affects the Teardrop theme version 1.8.1 for WordPress, representing a critical security flaw in the theme's option update mechanism. This issue stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of user inputs within the theme's administrative interface, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation and potential system compromise. The vulnerability specifically targets the theme's configuration options that are typically managed through WordPress's administrative dashboard, where users with lower privileges might exploit the flaw to gain elevated access rights.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the theme's handling of option update requests, where insufficient input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate configuration parameters without proper authentication or authorization. This weakness enables attackers to modify theme settings that should be restricted to administrators, potentially leading to unauthorized changes in website behavior, content manipulation, or even complete theme takeover. The flaw operates at the application layer, specifically within WordPress's theme management system, and falls under the category of insufficient access control as defined by CWE-284. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the legitimate theme functionality to execute unauthorized modifications, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access points within WordPress installations. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows unauthorized users to modify theme options that may control various aspects of the website's appearance and functionality, potentially leading to defacement, data exfiltration, or the installation of malicious code. The attack surface is amplified by the widespread use of WordPress themes, where a single vulnerable theme can compromise multiple websites. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques under the T1068 category, as attackers can leverage the flaw to gain higher system privileges without requiring direct access to administrative credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9476 primarily focus on immediate theme updates and enhanced security monitoring. WordPress administrators should immediately upgrade to a patched version of the Teardrop theme or implement temporary workarounds such as restricting theme modification permissions through custom capability restrictions. The implementation of proper input validation and output encoding should be enforced at the theme level, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes thorough sanitization before being processed. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and security monitoring tools to detect unusual patterns in theme option updates, as these systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of installed themes and plugins remain essential, particularly focusing on the validation mechanisms within administrative interfaces and ensuring that only authorized users possess the capability to modify critical theme configurations.