CVE-2018-5310 in Media from FTP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
In the "Media from FTP" plugin before 9.85 for WordPress, Directory Traversal exists via the searchdir parameter to the wp-admin/admin.php?page=mediafromftp-search-register URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2018-5310 affects the "Media from FTP" plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 9.85, and represents a critical directory traversal flaw that allows unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of the searchdir parameter in the wp-admin/admin.php?page=mediafromftp-search-register URI endpoint, creating a path traversal attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to access sensitive files outside the intended directory structure. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied directory paths, enabling attackers to manipulate the searchdir parameter to navigate to restricted filesystem locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. When an attacker submits a malicious searchdir parameter containing sequences such as ../ or ..\, the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before using it in file system operations. This allows the attacker to traverse up the directory tree and access files that should normally be restricted, potentially including configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive system resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the WordPress admin interface, providing attackers with elevated privileges to access files that may contain authentication credentials, plugin configurations, or other critical system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this directory traversal flaw can potentially access wp-config.php files containing database credentials, plugin configuration files that may reveal additional attack surfaces, or even system configuration files that could aid in further exploitation. The vulnerability affects the plugin's search functionality, which is designed to help users locate media files stored on remote FTP servers, but the implementation fails to properly isolate the file system access to only the intended directories. This creates a persistent security risk that remains active until the plugin is updated to version 9.85 or later, making it a significant concern for WordPress administrators who have not yet applied the necessary patches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5310 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 9.85 or higher, as this addresses the core input validation issues that enable the directory traversal attack. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input sanitization at the web application level, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters undergo strict validation before being processed. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious path traversal patterns in HTTP requests. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers file and directory discovery, as attackers can use this flaw to enumerate the file system structure and identify potential targets for further exploitation. Security hardening practices such as restricting file permissions, implementing proper access controls, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins will help reduce the overall attack surface and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.