CVE-2017-2245 in Shortcodes Ultimate
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Shortcodes Ultimate prior to version 4.10.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2245 affects the Shortcodes Ultimate plugin for WordPress, a popular plugin used for creating various shortcode elements on websites. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 4.10.0 and represents a critical security flaw that could allow remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of file paths within the plugin's functionality, creating an exploitable condition that could lead to unauthorized data access.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that enable attackers to manipulate file path parameters within the plugin's code execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The weakness occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being used in file system operations, allowing attackers to traverse directory structures and access files outside the intended directory scope. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar path manipulation techniques to navigate to sensitive files on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, particularly given that Shortcodes Ultimate is widely deployed across WordPress installations. Remote attackers could potentially access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, wp-config.php, and other system files that contain critical information. The vulnerability could also lead to information disclosure, system compromise, and potential privilege escalation depending on the file access permissions and system configuration. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 which involves data from local system, and T1083 which covers file and directory discovery. The attack could result in complete system compromise if attackers gain access to administrative credentials or sensitive configuration data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should begin with immediate patching to version 4.10.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent directory traversal attacks. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns, restrict file permissions on sensitive system files, and conduct regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper access controls as outlined in the OWASP Top 10 2017 category A03: Injection, which emphasizes the need for proper sanitization of user inputs to prevent various injection attacks including directory traversal. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.