CVE-2015-9485 in ThemeMakers Accio Responsive Parallax One Page Site Template
Summary
by MITRE
The ThemeMakers Accio Responsive Parallax One Page Site Template component 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9485 affects the ThemeMakers Accio Responsive Parallax One Page Site Template WordPress component, specifically exposing sensitive user data through improper access controls. This issue represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that allows remote attackers to directly access user credentials and personal information stored in a database file. The vulnerability exists due to the component failing to implement proper authentication checks before serving sensitive data files, creating an attack vector that bypasses standard WordPress security mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests through the direct URI access pattern where attackers can request the wp-content/uploads/tmm_db_migrate/wp_users.dat file path without requiring any authentication or authorization. This file contains user account information including user_login, user_pass, and user_email fields, which are typically protected within WordPress's secure database structure. The vulnerability stems from the component's insecure file handling practices, where uploaded files are accessible through predictable paths without proper access controls. This pattern aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper access control mechanisms, and represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to harvest complete user credential sets from compromised WordPress installations. Once accessed, the stolen information can be used for account takeover attacks, credential stuffing across other platforms, or as a foothold for further network penetration. The exposed user_pass fields contain password hashes that can be subjected to offline cracking attacks, while user_login and user_email values provide attackers with complete user profiles for social engineering or targeted phishing campaigns. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites using the affected template component, creating a persistent threat that remains active until the component is updated or removed.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate removal of the vulnerable component from affected installations, as the vulnerability cannot be patched due to the component's age and lack of updates. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to prevent access to sensitive upload directories, utilize web application firewalls to block requests to known vulnerable paths, and conduct comprehensive security audits to identify other potentially vulnerable components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and highlights the risks associated with third-party WordPress themes and plugins that lack proper security testing. Security practitioners should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for file system access and regularly monitor for unauthorized file uploads that may indicate exploitation attempts. This incident underscores the critical need for maintaining up-to-date security practices and the dangers of using deprecated software components in production environments.