CVE-2016-0796 in mb.miniAudioPlayer-an HTML5 Audio Player
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2022
WordPress Plugin mb.miniAudioPlayer-an HTML5 audio player for your mp3 files is prone to multiple vulnerabilities, including open proxy and security bypass vulnerabilities because it fails to properly verify user-supplied input. An attacker may leverage these issues to hide attacks directed at a target site from behind vulnerable website or to perform otherwise restricted actions and subsequently download files with the extension mp3, mp4a, wav and ogg from anywhere the web server application has read access to the system. WordPress Plugin mb.miniAudioPlayer-an HTML5 audio player for your mp3 files version 1.7.6 is vulnerable; prior versions may also be affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0796 affects the mb.miniAudioPlayer WordPress plugin version 1.7.6 and potentially earlier versions, presenting a critical security risk through multiple exploitable flaws. This plugin, designed to embed HTML5 audio players for mp3 files, contains insufficient input validation mechanisms that create pathways for malicious actors to bypass security controls and execute unauthorized actions. The core issue stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and validate user-supplied input parameters, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and access restricted resources.
The technical flaw manifests through improper validation of file path parameters within the plugin's functionality, specifically when processing audio file requests. Attackers can exploit this weakness to construct malicious URLs that leverage the plugin's audio player functionality to access files on the web server that would normally be restricted. This vulnerability enables what security researchers classify as open proxy exploitation patterns, where the vulnerable website serves as an intermediary to access internal resources or external systems that would otherwise be protected by network security controls. The attack vector specifically targets the plugin's ability to stream audio files, allowing unauthorized access to media files with extensions including mp3, mp4a, wav, and ogg, which are processed through the vulnerable code path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform restricted actions through the compromised plugin interface. This opens the door to various malicious activities including data exfiltration, server enumeration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a significant security gap that can be exploited for reconnaissance and more advanced attacks. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for extended periods without detection, as the malicious activity appears to originate from legitimate website traffic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0796 require immediate action to address the underlying input validation deficiencies within the mb.miniAudioPlayer plugin. Organizations should implement immediate patching of the plugin to version 1.7.7 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Network-level protections should include implementing web application firewalls with rules to block suspicious file access patterns and monitoring for unusual audio file requests. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of principle of least privilege implementation, where web server processes should not have unnecessary read access to sensitive system files. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar validation weaknesses, as this vulnerability pattern is commonly found in multimedia plugins that handle external file references. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1005 for data from local system, highlighting the need for comprehensive monitoring and detection capabilities.