CVE-2024-13535 in Actionwear Products Sync Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/18/2025
The Actionwear products sync plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Full Path Disclosure in all versions up to, and including, 2.3.0. This is due the composer-setup.php file being publicly accessible with 'display_errors' set to true. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to retrieve the full path of the web application, which can be used to aid other attacks. The information displayed is not useful on its own, and requires another vulnerability to be present for damage to an affected website.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2025
The CVE-2024-13535 vulnerability affects the Actionwear products sync plugin for WordPress, representing a significant security weakness that exposes system paths to unauthenticated attackers. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 2.3.0, making it a widespread concern for WordPress administrators who have installed this particular plugin. The flaw stems from the public accessibility of the composer-setup.php file, which is a critical component in the plugin's architecture. When this file becomes accessible to external parties, it creates an information disclosure scenario that can provide attackers with detailed system path information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the misconfiguration of the composer-setup.php file with 'display_errors' set to true. This configuration setting, when enabled in production environments, allows PHP to output detailed error messages that include the full file system paths where the application resides. The presence of this setting in a publicly accessible file creates a direct pathway for attackers to gather sensitive information about the server's directory structure. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the web server's error handling mechanisms rather than exploiting underlying system vulnerabilities. According to CWE-209, this represents a weakness in error handling that can lead to information disclosure, making it particularly dangerous when combined with other attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-13535 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked path information can serve as a crucial piece of intelligence for attackers planning more sophisticated attacks. While the vulnerability alone may not cause direct damage to the website, it provides attackers with the foundational information needed to execute more targeted exploits. The full paths disclosed can be used to understand the server's directory structure, potentially revealing the location of sensitive files, backup directories, or other system components that may be vulnerable to exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering system information through enumeration and reconnaissance activities. The information gathered through this vulnerability can be leveraged to identify potential attack surfaces, understand the server configuration, and plan subsequent exploitation attempts.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning because it creates a stepping stone for attackers to escalate their attacks. Although the disclosed information is not immediately harmful on its own, it significantly reduces the attack surface by providing attackers with knowledge of the system's internal structure. This information can be used to craft more effective attacks against other vulnerabilities that may exist within the same system. The vulnerability demonstrates a common misconfiguration pattern where development tools or setup files remain accessible in production environments, highlighting the importance of proper security hardening practices. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive security measures that include regular security audits, proper file access controls, and the removal of unnecessary development files from production systems to prevent such information disclosure scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-13535 should focus on immediate remediation actions and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate fix is to ensure that the composer-setup.php file is not publicly accessible through web server configuration changes or by removing the file from the web root directory. Administrators should also verify that all PHP applications have 'display_errors' set to false in production environments, as this setting should never be enabled in live systems. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and regular security assessments can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of following security best practices, including the principle of least privilege, proper configuration management, and regular security updates to maintain robust defenses against information disclosure attacks.