CVE-2018-18576 in Hustle Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Hustle (aka wordpress-popup) plugin through 6.0.5 for WordPress allows Directory Traversal to obtain a directory listing via the views/admin/dashboard/ URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18576 affects the Hustle plugin version 6.0.5 and earlier for WordPress platforms, representing a critical directory traversal flaw that exposes sensitive system information. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's administrative dashboard component, specifically at the views/admin/dashboard/ URI endpoint, where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate file path requests and gain unauthorized access to directory listings. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve directory structures from the web server, potentially exposing sensitive files and system configurations that should remain protected within the WordPress installation environment.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The issue stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are directly incorporated into file system operations without proper validation or restriction mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, allowing them to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access files outside the intended directory boundaries. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous as it provides access to sensitive dashboard components that may contain configuration data, user credentials, or other administrative information.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-18576 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential gateway for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can obtain directory listings that may reveal the presence of sensitive files, backup archives, configuration files, or other system artifacts that could aid in further exploitation. This information disclosure can lead to reconnaissance activities where attackers identify potential targets for additional attacks, including the discovery of backup files that might contain database credentials or other sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where WordPress installations contain multiple plugins and themes, as the directory traversal could potentially expose files from other components within the same installation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Hustle plugin to version 6.0.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to address the directory traversal flaw. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious path manipulation attempts, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly validated before being used in file system operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth by monitoring for suspicious path traversal patterns and blocking malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable plugin components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file permissions enumeration, and T1213, which addresses data from information repositories, highlighting the importance of protecting administrative interfaces from unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potential vulnerabilities in similar plugins and ensure that all administrative interfaces are properly secured against path traversal and other common attack vectors.