CVE-2017-2551 in BackWPup Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in Wordpress plugin BackWPup before v3.4.2 allows possible brute forcing of backup file for download.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2551 resides within the BackWPup WordPress plugin, a widely used tool for automated website backups. This plugin enables administrators to schedule and manage backup operations for their WordPress installations, making it a critical component in website recovery and data protection strategies. The flaw specifically affects versions prior to 3.4.2, indicating that the vulnerability was present in the plugin for an extended period, potentially exposing numerous websites to exploitation. The issue stems from insufficient access controls and authentication mechanisms within the backup file download functionality, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to attempt systematic access to backup archives.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-305 Authentication Bypass and CWE-798 Use of Hard-coded Credentials, as it allows attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures for accessing backup files. The flaw operates through a brute force mechanism where attackers can systematically attempt to guess or enumerate backup file names and access paths without proper authorization. This weakness specifically impacts the plugin's download handler component, which should require proper authentication and authorization before serving backup files. The vulnerability creates a scenario where backup files, which typically contain sensitive website data including database dumps, configuration files, and potentially user credentials, become accessible to unauthorized parties through automated attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2551 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as backup files often contain comprehensive website data including user accounts, content management information, and potentially sensitive business data. This exposure creates significant risk for website administrators and their organizations, as attackers can leverage these backup files to gain deeper insights into website architecture, extract user credentials, or even restore compromised systems to previous states. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 Data from Information Repositories, as it enables adversaries to access stored data through compromised backup systems. The brute force aspect of this vulnerability means that attackers can systematically work through potential backup file names, making it particularly dangerous when combined with weak backup naming conventions or predictable file structures.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patch update to version 3.4.2 or later, which addresses the authentication bypass issue. Additional mitigations include implementing rate limiting on backup download endpoints, restricting access to backup directories through web server configurations, and ensuring that backup file names are not predictable or easily guessable. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of backup file access attempts, and administrators should conduct thorough audits of their backup systems to identify any potential compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in backup systems and highlights the need for regular security assessments of commonly used plugins. Security teams should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on suspicious backup file access patterns, as this type of vulnerability can be exploited for extended periods without detection.