CVE-2015-9491 in ThemeMakers Blessing Premium Responsive Theme
Summary
by MITRE
The ThemeMakers Blessing Premium 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9491 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the ThemeMakers Blessing Premium Responsive WordPress theme. This vulnerability affects versions released through May 15, 2015, and exposes sensitive user account data through an improperly protected file access mechanism. The flaw specifically resides in the theme's handling of user data migration processes, where user credentials and personal information are stored in an accessible location within the WordPress upload directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and improper file permissions within the theme's database migration functionality. When the theme performs user data migration operations, it creates a file named wp_users.dat within the wp-content/uploads/tmm_db_migrate/ directory path. This file contains serialized user data including user_login, user_pass, and user_email fields that are directly accessible through web requests without proper authentication or authorization checks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference where attackers can directly access files through predictable URI paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to obtain complete user credential information, enabling them to perform account takeover attacks, credential stuffing, or identity theft operations. The exposure of user_login and user_email fields provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for social engineering campaigns, while the presence of user_pass values in potentially readable format compromises user account security. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1566 for credential access and T1078 for valid accounts, as it provides adversaries with legitimate user credentials that can be leveraged for persistent access to affected systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to protect their WordPress installations. The primary immediate action involves removing the vulnerable theme from affected installations and ensuring that no wp_users.dat files remain accessible through the web server. Administrators should conduct thorough audits of their WordPress upload directories to identify and delete any remaining sensitive data files. Additionally, implementing proper file access controls through .htaccess configurations or server-level restrictions can prevent direct access to sensitive data files. The remediation process should include updating to the latest theme version that addresses this vulnerability, which typically involves proper authentication checks and secure handling of user data migration processes. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive file paths, and regular vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar exposure issues in other WordPress plugins and themes. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in web applications, particularly those handling user authentication data, and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of insufficient security measures in content management systems.