CVE-2019-15649 in insert-or-embed-articulate-content-into-wordpress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The insert-or-embed-articulate-content-into-wordpress plugin before 4.2999 for WordPress has insufficient restrictions on file upload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15649 affects the insert-or-embed-articulate-content-into-wordpress plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 4.2999. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the plugin's file upload functionality that could enable unauthorized users to upload malicious files to affected WordPress installations. The issue stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of file uploads, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass intended security measures and potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient restrictions on file upload mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure file upload vulnerabilities, which are commonly classified as CWE-434 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The plugin fails to properly validate file types, extensions, or content, allowing attackers to upload files with potentially dangerous extensions such as .php, .asp, or other executable formats. This weakness enables a classic attack vector where malicious actors can upload web shells or other malicious payloads that can then be executed within the context of the web server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. An attacker who can exploit this weakness gains the ability to upload malicious files to the target WordPress installation, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Once uploaded, these files can be executed by the web server, allowing attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or perform data exfiltration. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects a widely used plugin, meaning that many WordPress installations could be vulnerable simultaneously. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on WordPress for their content management systems, as the attack surface expands beyond individual sites to potentially affect entire networks.
The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and execution phases. Attackers can leverage this weakness as part of a broader exploitation strategy to gain a foothold in target environments, often using the uploaded files to establish reverse shells or command and control channels. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1059, which covers command and script interpreters, as the malicious files can be executed through various interpreter mechanisms. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version 4.2999 or later, implementing strict file upload validation, and conducting comprehensive security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the vulnerable plugin to version 4.2999 or higher, which addresses the insufficient file upload restrictions. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive file type validation and sanitization measures, including blacklisting dangerous file extensions and implementing proper content type checking. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file upload activities, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across other plugins and themes. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring tools can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security training for administrators to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering or credential compromise.