CVE-2018-20463 in JSmol2WP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the JSmol2WP plugin 1.07 for WordPress. There is an arbitrary file read vulnerability via ../ directory traversal in query=php://filter/resource= in the jsmol.php query string. This can also be used for SSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20463 affects the JSmol2WP plugin version 1.07 for WordPress, representing a critical directory traversal flaw that enables unauthorized access to sensitive files on the affected system. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the plugin's jsmol.php script, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the query parameter contains a crafted payload using the php://filter/resource= technique combined with directory traversal sequences such as ../, allowing attackers to bypass normal file access controls and read arbitrary files from the server filesystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a pattern that aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and CWE-917 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Command. Attackers can construct malicious URLs that leverage the php://filter protocol handler to read sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, and other system resources that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability's design allows for both local file inclusion and server-side request forgery attacks, making it particularly dangerous as it can be used to exfiltrate data from the server or potentially gain further access to internal network resources. The php://filter wrapper in particular provides attackers with a powerful mechanism to read files without direct file system access, as it operates within the PHP stream context and can be manipulated to access files through various encoding and filtering mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the targeted files contain database credentials, API keys, or other sensitive configuration data. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations where the JSmol2WP plugin is active, potentially exposing thousands of websites to this attack vector. Organizations running vulnerable versions of this plugin face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations, particularly in environments where sensitive data is stored on the same server or network segment. The attack can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no prior access to the system to initiate the exploitation process.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-20463 should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates, as the vulnerability has been addressed in newer versions of the JSmol2WP plugin. System administrators should disable or remove the vulnerable plugin from affected WordPress installations until proper updates are applied. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding controls can prevent similar issues from occurring in the future, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block requests containing suspicious directory traversal patterns and php://filter usage. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins or custom code, as this type of vulnerability is common in web applications where user input is not properly sanitized. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging for unusual file access patterns and unauthorized data retrieval attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter validation and input sanitization in web applications, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten categories and security best practices for preventing path traversal attacks.