CVE-2017-6514 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
WordPress 4.7.2 mishandles listings of post authors, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information (Path Disclosure) via a /wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url= request, related to the "author_name":" substring.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6514 represents a critical path disclosure issue within WordPress version 4.7.2 that stems from improper handling of post author information in the REST API endpoint. This flaw specifically manifests when the system processes oembed requests through the wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed endpoint, where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the author_name parameter, allowing malicious actors to extract sensitive filesystem path information.
The technical exploitation occurs through carefully crafted requests to the oembed endpoint that include a malformed URL parameter, which triggers the system to reveal internal server paths in the response. This path disclosure vulnerability enables attackers to gather information about the server's directory structure, potentially exposing sensitive details such as the WordPress installation path, which can be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which specifically addresses Information Exposure, and represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with foundational information needed for more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential entry point for attackers to map server environments and identify other possible attack vectors. The flaw allows remote threat actors to obtain detailed information about the WordPress installation environment without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant or publicly accessible web environments. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1083, Information Discovery, where adversaries gather information about the target system to plan further exploitation activities.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate patching of this vulnerability, as WordPress 4.7.2 was released with this flaw and subsequent versions addressed the issue through proper input validation and sanitization of the author_name parameter. The mitigation strategy involves upgrading to WordPress version 4.7.3 or later, which implements proper validation of oembed requests and prevents the exposure of filesystem paths. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual oembed requests and consider implementing web application firewalls to block suspicious patterns targeting this specific endpoint. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in REST API implementations and demonstrates how seemingly innocuous functionality can expose critical system information when not properly secured.