CVE-2015-9488 in ThemeMakers Almera Responsive Portfolio Site Template
Summary
by MITRE
The ThemeMakers Almera Responsive Portfolio 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-2015-9488 affects the ThemeMakers Almera Responsive Portfolio Site Template WordPress plugin, which was vulnerable through the specific date of 2015-05-15. This represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive user authentication data through an improperly protected file access mechanism. The vulnerability specifically targets a database migration file named wp_users.dat that was stored in the wp-content/uploads/tmm_db_migrate/ directory structure, making it accessible through direct URI requests without proper authentication or authorization checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls within the plugin's file management system. When the plugin performs database migration operations, it creates a wp_users.dat file containing user account information in a format that includes user_login, user_pass, and user_email values. This file is stored in a publicly accessible upload directory rather than being properly secured or placed in a restricted location. The flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper access control, and represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference where an attacker can directly access sensitive files through predictable URI paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with complete user credential information that can be used for various malicious activities. The inclusion of user_pass values means that attackers can potentially gain unauthorized access to user accounts through credential reuse attacks, especially if users employ the same passwords across multiple systems. This vulnerability creates an attack surface that enables account takeover, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within compromised WordPress installations. The exposure of user_email addresses also facilitates social engineering attacks and phishing campaigns targeting specific individuals within the organization.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1087 technique for account discovery and T1566 for credential access. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in file handling and access control implementation, making it a prime candidate for exploitation in automated scanning campaigns targeting WordPress installations. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including restricting access to the wp-content/uploads/tmm_db_migrate/ directory through web server configuration, removing the vulnerable plugin if not actively used, and ensuring proper file permissions are applied to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data files. Additionally, regular security audits of WordPress plugins should be conducted to identify similar access control flaws that could lead to information disclosure vulnerabilities.