CVE-2016-10948 in Post Indexer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Post Indexer plugin before 3.0.6.2 for WordPress has incorrect handling of data passed to the unserialize function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10948 affects the Post Indexer plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 3.0.6.2, and represents a critical security flaw in how the plugin processes user-supplied data. This issue stems from improper handling of data passed to the unserialize function, creating a potential code execution vector that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's data processing logic where it fails to properly validate or sanitize input before attempting to deserialize serialized data structures. When a user submits data that gets processed through the unserialize function without adequate security measures, the plugin becomes susceptible to arbitrary code execution attacks, as demonstrated by the potential for malicious serialized objects to be executed within the WordPress environment. This flaw directly relates to CWE-502, which describes the dangerous use of unserialize functions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of remote services through the use of serialized objects. The vulnerability's impact is significant because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected WordPress site, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or the installation of backdoors. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious serialized data that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, would execute unintended code with the privileges of the web server. The issue is particularly concerning in WordPress environments where plugins are frequently used and may be installed by users with varying security awareness levels. The Post Indexer plugin's failure to properly validate input data before deserialization creates an attack surface that can be exploited through various vectors, including user profile modifications, comment submissions, or any interface that accepts serialized data from external sources. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in web applications. The technical flaw manifests when the plugin receives serialized data that it attempts to unserialize without sufficient sanitization or validation checks. The absence of proper security measures around the unserialize function creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious serialized objects that contain executable code. This represents a classic example of a deserialization vulnerability where the application's failure to properly validate serialized data allows for arbitrary code execution. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain persistent access to WordPress installations, potentially leading to complete compromise of the web server. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the Post Indexer plugin face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential use as a foothold for further attacks within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with basic knowledge of web application exploitation techniques. Mitigation efforts should focus on immediate plugin updates to version 3.0.6.2 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes to prevent the improper handling of serialized data. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation measures, monitor for suspicious activity, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block exploitation attempts. Security best practices should include avoiding the use of unserialize functions with untrusted data and implementing proper data sanitization protocols to prevent the execution of malicious code within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping all WordPress plugins updated and following security guidelines established by the WordPress security team and industry standards such as those defined by the Open Web Application Security Project. Organizations should conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their entire WordPress ecosystem.