CVE-2018-1000509 in Redirection
Summary
by MITRE
Redirection version 2.7.1 contains a Serialisation vulnerability possibly allowing ACE vulnerability in Settings page AJAX that can result in could allow admin to execute arbitrary code in some circumstances. This attack appear to be exploitable via Attacker must have access to admin account. This vulnerability appears to have been fixed in 2.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1000509 affects the Redirection plugin version 2.7.1, specifically within its settings page AJAX functionality. This represents a critical security flaw that could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution when exploited by an authenticated attacker. The vulnerability stems from improper serialization handling within the plugin's administrative interface, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and remote code execution. The issue manifests through the plugin's AJAX processing mechanisms on the settings page, where user-supplied data is not adequately validated or sanitized before being processed. This flaw falls under the category of deserialization vulnerabilities, which are commonly exploited to execute malicious code within the context of the vulnerable application. The attack requires an attacker to possess valid administrative credentials, making this a privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a remote code execution vector from outside the network perimeter.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of serialized data structures within the plugin's AJAX endpoints. When administrators interact with the settings page, the plugin processes serialized data that should be validated before being unserialized. However, the vulnerability allows an attacker with admin access to craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the application, can execute arbitrary code on the server. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate administrative privileges of the user to bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability is classified as a deserialization flaw that can lead to arbitrary code execution, which aligns with CWE-502, the Common Weakness Enumeration identifier for Deserialization of Untrusted Data. The attack vector requires administrative access, placing this vulnerability in the context of credential compromise and privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected WordPress installation. Once exploited, the attacker can modify plugin configurations, access sensitive data, install malicious plugins, or even establish persistent backdoors within the system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an attacker to already possess administrative credentials, which makes it less likely to be exploited remotely but still poses a significant risk if credentials are compromised through phishing, brute force attacks, or other credential theft methods. The vulnerability's presence in the settings page AJAX functionality means that even routine administrative tasks could be exploited, making detection more challenging. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where administrators have broad access rights or where multiple administrators share credentials, as it provides a single point of failure that could compromise the entire system.
The remediation for this vulnerability involves upgrading to Redirection plugin version 2.8 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the serialization flaw. System administrators should immediately implement this upgrade as a priority security measure, especially in environments where the plugin is actively used. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred before the patch was applied. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and sanitization in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where sensitive operations are performed. Security measures should include monitoring for unusual AJAX requests, implementing strict access controls, and conducting regular security audits of third-party plugins. This vulnerability also emphasizes the need for timely patch management and the importance of using security tools that can detect anomalous behavior in administrative interfaces, as described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics. Organizations should implement security monitoring that can detect unauthorized changes to plugin configurations or unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.