CVE-2019-14798 in Photo Gallery plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The 10Web Photo Gallery plugin before 1.5.25 for WordPress has Authenticated Local File Inclusion via directory traversal in the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=shortcode_bwg tagtext parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The CVE-2019-14798 vulnerability represents a critical authenticated local file inclusion flaw within the 10Web Photo Gallery plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 1.5.25. This vulnerability exists in the administrative AJAX endpoint at wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and specifically targets the shortcode_bwg action with the tagtext parameter. The flaw allows authenticated users with insufficient privileges to perform directory traversal attacks, potentially enabling them to access sensitive files on the server filesystem. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they exploit the trust relationship between the web application and its users, leveraging legitimate administrative functionality to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's shortcode processing mechanism. When the tagtext parameter is processed through the shortcode_bwg action, the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input, allowing maliciously crafted paths to traverse the directory structure. This directory traversal vulnerability enables attackers to access files that should remain restricted, potentially including configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive system information. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through the WordPress administrative interface, making it particularly concerning for sites with multiple user roles or compromised accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can provide attackers with significant information disclosure capabilities and potentially enable further exploitation. An authenticated attacker with minimal privileges can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive data from the WordPress installation, including plugin configurations, user credentials, or even server-level information that could facilitate additional attacks. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector specifically targets the WordPress admin-ajax.php endpoint, which is designed to handle asynchronous requests, making the exploitation more隐蔽 and potentially harder to detect through standard security monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-14798 require immediate plugin updates to version 1.5.25 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including role-based access controls to limit administrative privileges, regular security audits of installed plugins, and monitoring of administrative AJAX requests. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper parameter handling in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Network-based detection can be achieved through monitoring for suspicious directory traversal patterns in AJAX requests, while host-based solutions should focus on implementing proper file access controls and restricting unnecessary administrative functionality access. Regular security assessments and keeping all WordPress components updated remain essential practices to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.