CVE-2024-12152 in MIPL WC Multisite Sync Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/07/2025
The MIPL WC Multisite Sync plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Directory Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.5 via the 'mipl_wc_sync_download_log' action. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read the contents of arbitrary files on the server, which can contain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2025
The MIPL WC Multisite Sync plugin for WordPress presents a critical directory traversal vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 1.1.5. This security flaw resides within the 'mipl_wc_sync_download_log' action implementation, creating an exploitable pathway for unauthenticated attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected server. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file access requests, allowing attackers to manipulate file path parameters and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system files. Such directory traversal vulnerabilities typically occur when applications fail to adequately validate user-supplied input before using it in file system operations, creating opportunities for attackers to navigate beyond intended directories and access restricted content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to read files that may contain sensitive information such as database credentials, configuration files, application source code, and other confidential data that could compromise the entire WordPress installation. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as attackers can potentially extract authentication tokens, API keys, and other credentials that could facilitate further compromise of the affected system. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and represents a classic path traversal attack vector that has been consistently identified in web applications and plugins across various platforms. The unauthenticated nature of this exploit means that attackers do not require valid credentials to leverage the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible WordPress installations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress multisite environments where the plugin is deployed, as it can lead to complete system compromise if sensitive files containing credentials or configuration details are accessed. The vulnerability affects not just individual sites but entire multisite networks that rely on this plugin for synchronization operations, potentially exposing multiple interconnected systems to unauthorized access. Attackers could use the extracted information to escalate privileges, conduct further reconnaissance, or establish persistent access to the compromised systems. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 - File and Directory Discovery and T1566 - Phishing, as attackers can leverage the information disclosure to craft more sophisticated attacks or gain deeper access to the target environment. The presence of such vulnerabilities in widely used plugins demonstrates the critical importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices in WordPress plugin development.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version if available, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious file path requests, and conducting thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations. Additionally, administrators should review file permissions and restrict access to sensitive system files, while monitoring for unusual file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices such as input validation, output encoding, and principle of least privilege when developing WordPress plugins. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other installed plugins and themes, as the attack surface for WordPress environments continues to expand with the addition of third-party components.