CVE-2024-35776 in phpinfo WP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/21/2024
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in Exeebit phpinfo() WP.This issue affects phpinfo() WP: from n/a through 5.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The CVE-2024-35776 vulnerability represents a critical exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors within the Exeebit phpinfo() WordPress plugin. This security flaw allows malicious entities to access potentially sensitive server configuration details that should remain restricted to authorized administrators. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the phpinfo() WP plugin ranging from version n/a through 5.0, indicating a broad attack surface that affects multiple iterations of the software. The exposure occurs through the plugin's implementation that inadvertently reveals server-side information to any user who can access the affected WordPress installation, creating a significant risk for organizations that do not properly restrict access to their administrative interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly authenticate and authorize access to the phpinfo() output functionality. When the plugin generates and displays server configuration information, it does not validate user permissions or implement proper access controls to ensure that only authenticated administrators can view the sensitive data. This flaw directly relates to CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors, and demonstrates poor input validation and access control mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. The phpinfo() function in PHP is inherently designed to display comprehensive server configuration details including PHP settings, loaded extensions, environment variables, and potentially sensitive system information that could aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked server configuration data can significantly aid threat actors in conducting reconnaissance activities against the affected WordPress installations. Attackers can leverage the exposed information to identify installed software versions, server configurations, and potential security misconfigurations that may lead to further exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk for organizations as it allows attackers to gather intelligence about the target environment without requiring elevated privileges or complex exploitation techniques. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves the exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities to gather intelligence for subsequent attacks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the plugin is accessible to unauthenticated users.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies to protect their WordPress installations. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to the latest version of the phpinfo() WP plugin where the issue has been resolved through proper access control implementation. Additionally, administrators should review their WordPress user access policies to ensure that only authorized personnel can access administrative interfaces and plugin functionalities. Network-level protections such as implementing proper firewall rules and access control lists can help limit exposure to unauthorized users. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and code reviews of third-party plugins, particularly those that expose system-level information. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts to sensitive plugin functionalities. The incident underscores the necessity of adhering to security best practices including principle of least privilege, regular software updates, and comprehensive security testing of all components within WordPress environments.