CVE-2020-24148 in Import XML and RSS Feeds Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/07/2021
Server-side request forgery (SSRF) in the Import XML and RSS Feeds (import-xml-feed) plugin 2.0.1 for WordPress via the data parameter in a moove_read_xml action.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-24148 represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within the Import XML and RSS Feeds plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting version 2.0.1. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the plugin's moove_read_xml action handler, which processes user-supplied data through the data parameter. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate the plugin's functionality to make unauthorized requests to internal or external systems, potentially bypassing network security controls and accessing sensitive resources that should remain isolated from public exposure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates on the server side, allowing attackers to leverage the WordPress application's privileges and potentially escalate their access to internal network resources.
The technical implementation of this SSRF vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate or sanitize the data parameter before using it in HTTP requests. When a user submits a request to the moove_read_xml action endpoint, the plugin accepts the data parameter directly without adequate verification of its contents or origin. This allows an attacker to craft malicious payloads that can redirect the plugin's HTTP requests to internal IP addresses or specific endpoints that should not be accessible through the public interface. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-918 Server-Side Request Forgery, which is a well-documented weakness in web applications where the application fails to properly validate user-supplied URLs or parameters before using them in requests to external resources. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to bypass firewalls and access internal systems that are normally protected from external access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as it can enable attackers to perform reconnaissance activities against internal network infrastructure, access sensitive data stored on internal servers, or even facilitate further attacks such as internal port scanning or exploitation of vulnerable internal services. An attacker could potentially use this vulnerability to access internal APIs, database servers, or other systems that are normally protected by network segmentation. The attack surface is particularly broad because the plugin's functionality is designed to fetch data from external sources, making it a legitimate target for exploitation. This vulnerability can be exploited by an authenticated user with sufficient privileges to access the plugin's administrative interface or by an unauthenticated attacker if the plugin is configured in a way that allows public access to the affected endpoints. The potential for privilege escalation exists when attackers can leverage the plugin's access to internal systems to gain elevated privileges or extract sensitive information from the WordPress installation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent unauthorized server-side requests. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of internal systems to potentially compromised WordPress installations, ensuring that internal services are not directly accessible from the web-facing WordPress environment. Input validation and sanitization measures should be strengthened across all plugin components to ensure that user-supplied data is properly validated before being used in any external requests. Network monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious outbound requests that may indicate exploitation attempts, while also implementing web application firewalls to filter and block malicious requests targeting the affected endpoints. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all installed WordPress plugins and themes to identify similar vulnerabilities, as this type of flaw is often present in poorly secured third-party components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the importance of protecting web applications from external exploitation and the need for robust input validation controls to prevent SSRF attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for WordPress plugin management, limiting the number of users who can modify plugin configurations or access administrative interfaces that may expose these vulnerabilities.