CVE-2019-15776 in simple-301-redirects-addon-bulk-uploader Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The simple-301-redirects-addon-bulk-uploader plugin before 1.2.5 for WordPress has no protection against 301 redirect rule injection via a CSV file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15776 affects the simple-301-redirects-addon-bulk-uploader plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 1.2.5. This issue represents a critical security flaw that allows unauthorized users to inject malicious 301 redirect rules through CSV file uploads, potentially leading to severe consequences for affected websites. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's bulk upload functionality, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate the redirect system.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin processes CSV files containing redirect rules without proper validation of the input data. This lack of sanitization creates a path for malicious actors to inject arbitrary redirect targets that could point to phishing sites, malicious domains, or other harmful destinations. The vulnerability is classified as a form of redirect injection or URL manipulation, which aligns with CWE-79 (Cross-Site Scripting) and CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) categories. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted CSV files that contain malicious redirect targets, which are then processed and stored as legitimate redirect rules within the WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial and multifaceted. Website owners who use the affected plugin become vulnerable to various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, credential theft, and malicious traffic redirection. When successful, the injection of malicious redirects can compromise user trust, potentially leading to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. The attack surface extends beyond individual websites to potentially affect entire user bases, especially if the compromised sites are popular or serve critical functions. This vulnerability particularly impacts WordPress environments where bulk redirect management is common, making it a significant concern for administrators managing large numbers of redirects.
The security implications extend to the broader WordPress ecosystem, as this vulnerability demonstrates how third-party plugins can introduce critical risks even when the core WordPress platform remains secure. The flaw enables attackers to perform persistent redirection attacks that can operate without user interaction, making detection and mitigation more challenging. Organizations should consider implementing the mitigations recommended by the plugin developers, including immediate upgrade to version 1.2.5 or later, which addresses the input validation issues. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations, reviewing all plugins for similar vulnerabilities and implementing proper access controls for CSV upload functionality. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1566 (Phishing) techniques, highlighting the potential for both automated exploitation and social engineering components in successful attacks.