CVE-2024-13671 in Music Sheet Viewer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/30/2025
The Music Sheet Viewer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Read in all versions up to, and including, 4.1 via the read_score_file() function. 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 • 01/30/2025
The CVE-2024-13671 vulnerability affects the Music Sheet Viewer plugin for WordPress, representing a critical arbitrary file read flaw that impacts all versions up to and including 4.1. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the read_score_file() function, which fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing file operations. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the plugin's file reading capabilities to access sensitive files across the web server filesystem, potentially exposing confidential data including configuration files, database credentials, and other system information. The vulnerability exists because the plugin does not implement proper access controls or file path validation, enabling attackers to manipulate the file reading mechanism through crafted input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker sends a malicious request to the plugin's endpoint that invokes the read_score_file() function. Without proper parameter sanitization, the function processes user input directly as a file path, allowing attackers to traverse the filesystem using directory traversal techniques such as ../ or ..\ sequences. This creates a path traversal condition that can be leveraged to read any file accessible to the web server process, including wp-config.php, .htaccess files, or other sensitive configuration data. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and represents a classic example of insecure file handling practices that have been documented in numerous security assessments and penetration testing reports.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system information that could facilitate further exploitation. Attackers could obtain database connection details, admin credentials, or other sensitive configuration data that would enable them to compromise the entire WordPress installation. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that any visitor to the website could potentially exploit this vulnerability without requiring prior access or authentication credentials. This makes the attack surface particularly concerning for high-traffic websites where the vulnerability could be exploited by automated scanning tools or malicious actors seeking to gather intelligence for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to perform reconnaissance and identify other potential targets within the same network infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to protect their WordPress installations. The most critical immediate action involves updating the Music Sheet Viewer plugin to the latest available version that contains the patched read_score_file() function with proper input validation and access controls. System administrators should also implement web application firewalls with rules specifically designed to block directory traversal attempts and monitor for suspicious file access patterns. Additional protective measures include restricting file permissions on sensitive system files, implementing proper input validation at the application level, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins and themes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security controls and the necessity of validating all user inputs, particularly when dealing with file system operations. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for web server processes and regularly monitoring file access logs for anomalous activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security updates and the importance of maintaining comprehensive security monitoring systems to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.