CVE-2015-9484 in ThemeMakers Accio One Page Parallax Responsive Theme
Summary
by MITRE
The ThemeMakers Accio One Page Parallax Responsive theme through 2015-05-15 for WordPress allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information (such as user_login, user_pass, and user_email values) via a direct request for the wp-content/uploads/tmm_db_migrate/wp_users.dat URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2024
The ThemeMakers Accio One Page Parallax Responsive theme for WordPress contained a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposed sensitive user account data through improper access controls. This vulnerability affected versions released through May 15, 2015, and created a significant security risk for WordPress installations using this specific theme. The flaw stemmed from the theme's handling of user data migration files, where sensitive information including user_login, user_pass, and user_email values were stored in an accessible location within the WordPress upload directory structure. The vulnerability specifically targeted the wp-content/uploads/tmm_db_migrate/wp_users.dat file path, which was directly accessible via web requests without proper authentication or authorization checks. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference vulnerability as outlined in CWE-22, where the application provides direct access to objects based on user-supplied input without proper access control validation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allowed remote attackers to bypass normal WordPress security mechanisms by directly accessing the migration data file through the web server. The wp_users.dat file contained plaintext user credentials and account information that should have been protected within the WordPress database or properly secured within the application's access controls. Attackers could simply append the vulnerable URI path to their WordPress installation URL to retrieve the sensitive data without requiring any authentication credentials or exploiting other vulnerabilities. This exposure created a substantial risk for WordPress sites as the leaked information could be used for credential stuffing attacks, social engineering attempts, or further exploitation of the compromised accounts. The vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement that should be implemented at all levels of web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed user credentials could be immediately leveraged for unauthorized access to WordPress administrative panels and user accounts. The presence of user_pass values in plaintext format made this particularly dangerous, as attackers could potentially gain full administrative control over compromised WordPress installations. This vulnerability also created downstream security implications for users who might have reused passwords across multiple systems, as the leaked credentials could be used to compromise additional accounts. Organizations running WordPress sites with this vulnerable theme faced immediate risk of unauthorized content modification, data theft, and potential complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation was straightforward and required no sophisticated techniques, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation across multiple WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate action including updating to the patched version of the ThemeMakers Accio theme or implementing temporary access restrictions to prevent direct access to the vulnerable file path. Security administrators should have reviewed and restricted access to the wp-content/uploads/tmm_db_migrate directory structure, implementing proper access controls that would prevent direct URI access to sensitive data files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation as recommended in the OWASP Top Ten security controls, particularly focusing on secure access control mechanisms and proper file handling practices. Organizations should have also implemented monitoring and alerting for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive file paths, utilizing security information and event management systems to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and the potential for seemingly minor security flaws to create significant operational risks. The incident demonstrates the necessity of regular security audits and updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities that could lead to complete system compromise.