CVE-2024-24869 in Total Upkeep Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2024
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in BoldGrid Total Upkeep allows Relative Path Traversal.This issue affects Total Upkeep: from n/a through 1.15.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
The CVE-2024-24869 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in the BoldGrid Total Upkeep plugin, which is widely used for WordPress site maintenance and optimization. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of pathname to a restricted directory, making it a classic path traversal attack vector. The issue affects versions of the plugin from an unspecified starting point through version 1.15.8, indicating a significant attack surface that could potentially impact numerous WordPress installations. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate file paths through relative path traversal techniques, enabling unauthorized access to files outside the intended directory structure. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications where user input is not properly sanitized before being used in file system operations. The affected plugin's functionality, which typically handles various site maintenance tasks, creates opportunities for attackers to exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that bypasses normal access controls. The relative path traversal aspect means that attackers can navigate up directory structures using sequences like "../" to access files that should normally be restricted.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that is subsequently used in file operations. Attackers can manipulate parameters that control file paths, allowing them to traverse directories and potentially access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or other system resources. This weakness enables unauthorized file access, modification, or even execution depending on the system configuration and file permissions. The impact is particularly severe because the Total Upkeep plugin is designed to perform administrative functions, which means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges or access to critical system information. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and access control implementation within the plugin's file handling mechanisms. Security researchers have identified that this flaw could be leveraged for various malicious activities including data exfiltration, system compromise, or further attack escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access issues, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to WordPress site configurations, user credentials, or other sensitive data stored on the server. When exploited, this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, especially if the affected WordPress installation has weak security practices or if the plugin has elevated privileges on the server. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that BoldGrid Total Upkeep is a widely deployed plugin, meaning that numerous websites could be vulnerable to this type of attack. Organizations using affected versions of the plugin face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized modifications to website content, or complete takeover of their WordPress installations. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses for affected organizations. Additionally, the relative nature of the path traversal allows for sophisticated attack techniques where attackers can systematically explore the file system to identify valuable targets.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-24869 should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions to version 1.15.9 or later, as this represents the most effective defense against the vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious path traversal attempts, ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly validated before being used in file system operations. The implementation of proper access controls and least privilege principles should be enforced, limiting the plugin's access to only necessary directories and files. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file access patterns or attempts to traverse directory structures. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the impact of successful exploitation by restricting access to sensitive system resources. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potential vulnerabilities and ensure that all plugins and themes are up to date with the latest security patches. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures beyond simple patching. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be implemented to maintain ongoing protection against similar weaknesses in other components of the WordPress ecosystem.