CVE-2016-10929 in advanced-ajax-page-loader Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The advanced-ajax-page-loader plugin before 2.7.7 for WordPress has no protection against the reading of uploaded files when not logged in.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2023
The CVE-2016-10929 vulnerability affects the advanced-ajax-page-loader plugin for WordPress versions prior to 2.7.7, presenting a significant security flaw that allows unauthorized access to uploaded files by users who are not authenticated. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of file access controls, creating a path for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and retrieve sensitive content that should only be accessible to logged-in users. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and access control enforcement within the plugin's file reading functionality.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's inability to properly verify user authentication status before serving uploaded files. When users attempt to access files through the plugin's ajax page loader functionality, the system fails to validate whether the requesting user possesses appropriate permissions to access the requested resource. This authentication bypass occurs at the application level where the plugin processes file requests without implementing proper session validation or user authorization checks. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to directly access files that have been uploaded through the WordPress platform, potentially exposing sensitive data including configuration files, user uploads, or other confidential content that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate their privileges and gain deeper access to the WordPress installation. An attacker can leverage this flaw to access uploaded files that may contain database credentials, configuration settings, or other sensitive information that could facilitate further exploitation. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that remains active until the affected plugin is updated to version 2.7.7 or later, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress sites that may not immediately apply security patches. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to resources.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation. Attackers can use this flaw to gather intelligence about the target environment, potentially identifying other vulnerabilities or access points within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability also contributes to the broader category of insecure file handling practices that can lead to data breaches and unauthorized system access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version of the plugin, reviewing file permissions, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, security professionals should consider implementing web application firewalls and access control policies to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other components of the WordPress ecosystem. The incident underscores the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and highlights the need for regular security assessments of third-party plugins that may introduce security weaknesses into otherwise secure environments.