CVE-2023-6947 in FooGallery Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/10/2024
The Best WordPress Gallery Plugin – FooGallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Directory Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 2.4.26. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor level or higher to read the contents of arbitrary folders on the server, which can contain sensitive information such as folder structure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-6947 affects the FooGallery WordPress plugin, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.4.26. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations relying on this gallery plugin. The issue stems from insufficient input validation within the plugin's file handling mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized access to server resources. Security researchers have identified that authenticated attackers possessing contributor-level privileges or higher can leverage this vulnerability to traverse directories and access sensitive server information. The vulnerability manifests when the plugin processes file paths without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to manipulate directory traversal sequences and access files outside the intended scope.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal flaw involves the plugin's failure to properly validate user-supplied input when processing gallery-related file operations. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar patterns within file path parameters. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which defines directory traversal vulnerabilities as weaknesses that occur when untrusted input is used to construct file paths without proper validation. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the WordPress ecosystem, specifically targeting the plugin's file access routines and failing to implement proper path normalization or validation checks. This allows an authenticated user to bypass normal access controls and potentially access configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive information stored on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used for further exploitation. When an attacker gains access to directory structures and file contents, they can identify other potentially vulnerable components, discover backup files, locate sensitive configuration data, or uncover version information about the WordPress installation. The contributor-level privilege requirement means that this vulnerability can be exploited by users who already have some level of access to the WordPress admin interface, potentially through compromised accounts or insider threats. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have contributor-level access or where account compromise is possible. The exposure of server directory structures can facilitate more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation attempts or the discovery of additional vulnerabilities within the broader system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-6947 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the directory traversal vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released patches to resolve the issue. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to WordPress administrative interfaces and consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attempts. Additional security measures include restricting user privileges to the minimum necessary for their roles, implementing proper access controls, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper file handling practices within web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation. Regular monitoring of plugin security advisories and maintaining updated security configurations are essential defensive measures. Organizations should also consider implementing automated scanning tools to identify vulnerable components and ensure that all WordPress installations maintain current security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.