CVE-2018-5287 in GD Rating System Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The GD Rating System plugin 2.3 for WordPress has Directory Traversal in the wp-admin/admin.php panel parameter for the gd-rating-system-about page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5287 resides within the GD Rating System plugin version 2.3 for WordPress, representing a critical directory traversal flaw that exposes sensitive system information. This weakness specifically manifests in the wp-admin/admin.php panel when processing requests for the gd-rating-system-about page, creating an avenue for unauthorized access to the underlying file system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the system's file access mechanisms through crafted requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the panel parameter within the admin.php endpoint, where the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file system operations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to traverse directories and potentially access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or other system resources that should remain protected from unauthorized access. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which defines the weakness of improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector enables an attacker to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code or obtain confidential information.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5287 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains the ability to read arbitrary files on the server, potentially leading to credential theft, privilege escalation, or full system compromise. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations running the affected plugin version, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or specific authentication. This weakness creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly until the plugin is updated or the vulnerability is patched.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the directory traversal flaw, as the vendor has likely released patches to resolve the issue. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other custom or third-party plugins. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Additionally, following the principle of least privilege and implementing proper access controls within WordPress admin panels can limit the potential damage from such vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider adopting the ATT&CK framework's approach to threat hunting, specifically focusing on reconnaissance and credential access phases where directory traversal attacks typically occur, to proactively identify and remediate similar weaknesses across their infrastructure.