CVE-2015-9538 in NextGEN Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
The NextGEN Gallery plugin before 2.1.15 for WordPress allows ../ Directory Traversal in path selection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2024
The CVE-2015-9538 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the NextGEN Gallery plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 2.1.15 and exposes WordPress installations to unauthorized file access through improper path validation mechanisms. The issue stems from insufficient input sanitization in the plugin's file path selection functionality, allowing malicious actors to manipulate directory navigation sequences and access restricted system files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the classic directory traversal attack pattern where attackers can exploit weak input validation to navigate outside of intended directories. In the context of the NextGEN Gallery plugin, the flaw occurs during file path processing when user-supplied parameters are not properly sanitized before being used in file system operations. This allows attackers to construct malicious paths using sequences like "../" that traverse up directory structures, potentially accessing sensitive files such as configuration databases, user credentials, or system configuration files.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for WordPress administrators and end users who rely on the NextGEN Gallery plugin for media management. Attackers can exploit this weakness to read arbitrary files from the web server's file system, potentially leading to data breaches, credential exposure, and system compromise. The vulnerability particularly affects WordPress installations where the plugin is used for gallery management, as it provides an attack vector that bypasses normal access controls and file permissions. This flaw can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to the underlying system infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which classifies directory traversal attacks as a common weakness in input validation. It also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers can leverage this weakness to discover and potentially exfiltrate sensitive files. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the NextGEN Gallery plugin face increased risk of data loss, unauthorized system access, and potential compliance violations. The remediation approach requires immediate patching to version 2.1.15 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement network segmentation, monitor for suspicious file access patterns, and conduct regular security audits to identify any potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date plugins and implementing robust input validation controls across all web applications to prevent similar directory traversal attacks.