CVE-2024-1568 in Seraphinite Accelerator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/28/2024
The Seraphinite Accelerator plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Server-Side Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 2.20.52 via the OnAdminApi_HtmlCheck function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to make web requests to arbitrary locations originating from the web application and can be used to query and modify information from internal services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2025
The Seraphinite Accelerator plugin for WordPress presents a critical server-side request forgery vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 2.20.52. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the OnAdminApi_HtmlCheck function, which processes user-supplied data without adequate sanitization or verification. The flaw allows authenticated attackers who possess subscriber-level privileges or higher to manipulate the plugin's functionality and initiate web requests from the vulnerable WordPress application to arbitrary destinations. The vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it bypasses normal network restrictions and can potentially expose internal services that would otherwise be protected by network segmentation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform reconnaissance activities, access internal systems, or even exploit other vulnerabilities within the internal network that are not directly exposed to the internet.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which defines server-side request forgery as a condition where an application fails to properly validate and sanitize user input that is used to construct HTTP requests. This specific implementation flaw enables attackers to craft malicious requests that appear to originate from the legitimate WordPress server, making such attacks difficult to detect and trace. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through the plugin's administrative API endpoints, which are accessible to users with subscriber roles or higher. This means that even relatively low-privileged users within the WordPress environment can potentially abuse the functionality to access internal resources that should remain protected. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as attackers can potentially modify data within internal services that are reachable from the WordPress server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with a persistent vector for internal network exploration and potential lateral movement. Once an attacker establishes access through this vulnerability, they can use it to enumerate internal services, probe for additional vulnerabilities, and potentially escalate their access within the network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where WordPress servers have access to internal systems or services, as it effectively removes the network boundary protection that should normally prevent such access. This makes it a prime target for attackers seeking to expand their foothold within an organization's infrastructure. The exploitation requires only minimal privileges, making it accessible to threat actors who may have gained initial access through other means such as phishing attacks or credential theft.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the SSRF flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit the exposure of WordPress servers to internal services, ensuring that even if exploitation occurs, the attacker's access remains restricted. Input validation and sanitization measures should be enhanced throughout the application to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Additionally, monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual outbound network requests from the WordPress server that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating all user-supplied input and implementing proper access controls even within administrative interfaces. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to help detect and block malicious requests that attempt to exploit such vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other plugins or components within the WordPress environment.