CVE-2016-10954 in Neosense Theme
Summary
by MITRE
The Neosense theme before 1.8 for WordPress has qquploader unrestricted file upload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10954 affects the Neosense WordPress theme version 1.8 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw that allows unauthorized file uploads through the qquploader component. This issue represents a classic unrestricted file upload vulnerability that can be exploited to gain remote code execution capabilities on affected WordPress installations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control measures within the theme's file upload functionality, specifically targeting the qquploader implementation that handles file transfers within the WordPress admin interface. The flaw exists in the theme's handling of user-supplied file data without proper sanitization or restriction mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker uploads malicious files through the vulnerable qquploader component, which bypasses normal WordPress file upload restrictions and security checks. This unrestricted file upload capability enables attackers to upload web shells, malicious scripts, or other harmful payloads that can be executed within the web server context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the theme level rather than requiring administrative privileges, making it accessible to any user with access to the WordPress admin area or through social engineering attacks. The flaw directly maps to CWE-434, which categorizes unrestricted upload of executable files as a critical security weakness, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file uploads, as it can lead to complete compromise of affected WordPress installations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, deface websites, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not only the WordPress site itself but also potentially the entire hosting environment, as the uploaded malicious files can execute with the privileges of the web server process. Organizations running vulnerable Neosense themes are at significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments where WordPress serves as a critical business application. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that many WordPress installations use third-party themes that may contain similar vulnerabilities, making this issue particularly widespread in the WordPress ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10954 require immediate action including updating to Neosense theme version 1.8 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the unrestricted file upload vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as restricting file upload capabilities at the web server level, implementing proper input validation for all file uploads, and monitoring for suspicious file upload activities. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other themes and plugins, as this vulnerability pattern is commonly found in poorly implemented file upload components. System administrators should also consider implementing least privilege access controls and regular security updates to minimize the risk of exploitation. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the updated theme to ensure compatibility and functionality while maintaining security posture against similar vulnerabilities.