CVE-2024-43232 in Timeline and History Slider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2024
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in WP OnlineSupport, Essential Plugin Timeline and History slider allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Timeline and History slider: from n/a through 2.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2024
The CVE-2024-43232 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in the WP OnlineSupport Essential Plugin Timeline and History slider component, specifically impacting versions prior to 2.3. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, creating a dangerous condition where attackers can manipulate file paths to access unauthorized resources. The flaw exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied input that influences file system operations, particularly in the context of PHP local file inclusion attacks. When a malicious actor exploits this vulnerability, they can potentially traverse the file system beyond the intended directory boundaries and access sensitive files that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize user input that is used in file path constructions. Attackers can craft malicious requests that manipulate the file inclusion mechanism to target system files, configuration files, or other sensitive resources accessible to the web server process. The vulnerability specifically affects the Timeline and History slider plugin, where the path traversal occurs during the processing of PHP include or require operations. This flaw allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code or retrieve confidential information from the server. The attack vector typically involves manipulating parameters that control which files are included or processed by the plugin, enabling unauthorized access to the file system through the web application interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for further exploitation within the compromised system. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of backdoors through PHP file inclusion attacks. The vulnerability affects not only the specific plugin but also potentially impacts the entire WordPress installation, as attackers can leverage the path traversal to access WordPress core files, plugin files, or configuration files that contain database credentials or other sensitive information. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where the web server has elevated privileges or where multiple plugins exist that might be vulnerable to similar path traversal attacks. Organizations using affected versions of the plugin face significant exposure to unauthorized access and potential data breaches, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-43232 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the path traversal vulnerability. System administrators should implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious path manipulation attempts, ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly validated before being used in file system operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious path traversal patterns and blocking malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities and implement proper file access controls that limit the web server's ability to access sensitive system directories. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while access controls should be reviewed to ensure that the web server process operates with minimal required privileges to reduce the potential impact of successful attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing proper security controls to prevent path traversal attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.