CVE-2024-37108 in WishList Member X Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/01/2024
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in WishList Products WishList Member X allows Path Traversal.This issue affects WishList Member X: from n/a through 3.26.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-37108 represents a critical path traversal flaw within the WishList Member X plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified starting point through 3.26.6. This weakness resides in the plugin's improper handling of pathname inputs, creating opportunities for malicious actors to bypass intended directory restrictions and access unauthorized file system locations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of user-supplied path parameters that are processed within the plugin's file operations functionality.
This path traversal vulnerability operates through the manipulation of file path inputs that are not properly constrained or validated before being used in file system operations. When the WishList Member X plugin processes requests involving file paths, it fails to adequately verify that the requested paths remain within the intended directory boundaries. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that includes directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar constructs that allow navigation outside of restricted directories. The flaw essentially permits an attacker to access files that should be protected or restricted, potentially exposing sensitive data, configuration files, or even system-level information that should remain inaccessible to unauthorized users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable more sophisticated attack vectors including arbitrary file inclusion, remote code execution, and complete system compromise when combined with other vulnerabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this path traversal vulnerability could potentially access administrative files, user data, plugin configurations, or even system files that contain database credentials or other sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the WishList Member X plugin and could lead to unauthorized access to premium content, user account information, or compromise the entire WordPress installation. This weakness particularly impacts users who rely on the plugin for membership management and content protection, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the access control mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-37108 should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions to the latest available release that addresses the path traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures that enforce strict path validation before any file system operations are performed. The implementation of secure coding practices including the use of whitelisting approaches for file paths, proper directory traversal prevention mechanisms, and the adoption of secure file handling libraries can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Security controls should include monitoring for suspicious file access patterns, implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block path traversal attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a significant concern within the ATT&CK framework under the technique of path traversal attacks that can lead to privilege escalation and data compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits of their WordPress installations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other components of their web applications.