CVE-2016-10874 in wp-database-backup Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-database-backup plugin before 4.3.3 for WordPress has CSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The wp-database-backup plugin for WordPress contains a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that affects versions prior to 4.3.3, representing a critical security flaw that can be exploited by attackers to perform unauthorized actions on vulnerable sites. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's administrative functionality and specifically targets the database backup operations that require privileged access. The flaw allows malicious actors to trick authenticated users into executing unintended administrative tasks without their knowledge or consent, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF tokens in the plugin's backup functionality forms and endpoints. When administrators navigate to the backup configuration pages or initiate backup operations, the plugin fails to validate that requests originate from legitimate sources within the same session. This omission creates an exploitable condition where attackers can craft malicious web pages or emails containing embedded requests that, when clicked by authenticated users, execute backup-related operations with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the administrative level, granting attackers access to sensitive database operations that can result in data exfiltration, system modification, or complete compromise of WordPress installations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to manipulate database backup configurations, potentially leading to the deletion of critical backup files or the execution of malicious backup operations. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery flaws in web applications. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform actions such as creating unauthorized backups, modifying backup schedules, or even executing malicious code through compromised backup files. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1485, which covers data destruction and data manipulation through backup system compromise, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on automated backup processes for disaster recovery.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to wp-database-backup plugin version 4.3.3 or later, which incorporates proper CSRF token validation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as network segmentation, privileged access management, and regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper session management can further reduce the attack surface for such vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should include detection of unauthorized backup operations and unusual administrative activities. Additionally, administrators should regularly review plugin permissions and ensure that only necessary plugins are installed, as the presence of vulnerable plugins increases the overall attack surface of WordPress installations and creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access through exploitation of such flaws.