CVE-2024-49285 in SSV MailChimp Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/17/2024
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Jeroen Berkvens SSV MailChimp ssv-mailchimp allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects SSV MailChimp: from n/a through <= 3.1.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-49285 represents a critical path traversal flaw within the Jeroen Berkvens SSV MailChimp plugin, specifically impacting versions up to and including 3.1.5. This weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of pathname to a restricted directory as a fundamental security issue. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing file operations within the plugin's codebase. Attackers can exploit this flaw by manipulating file path parameters to access unauthorized files on the server, potentially leading to information disclosure, remote code execution, or system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through PHP local file inclusion mechanisms that do not adequately restrict file access paths. When the plugin processes user input containing file references, it fails to validate or sanitize the pathname parameters, allowing malicious actors to traverse directory structures beyond intended boundaries. This occurs particularly when the plugin handles file operations such as include, require, or file reading functions without proper path validation or normalization. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, or even execute arbitrary PHP code if the application permits file inclusion from external sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-49285 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable complete system compromise. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can access database configuration files, WordPress core files, or other sensitive application data that may contain credentials, encryption keys, or system configurations. This path traversal capability can lead to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors within the affected WordPress environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-tenant hosting environments where a compromised plugin could potentially affect other sites hosted on the same server infrastructure. Additionally, the attack surface expands when considering that WordPress plugins often have elevated privileges and access to core system functions, making this vulnerability a significant threat vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-49285 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 3.1.6 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to prevent unauthorized path traversal attempts, including strict path normalization and validation of all file access operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious path traversal attempts, while regular security audits should monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other installed plugins or themes. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for PHP code injection techniques and T1566 for the initial compromise phase, making it essential for security teams to monitor for these attack patterns. Organizations should also implement principle of least privilege access controls, restrict file permissions, and maintain regular backups to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns, particularly those involving directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that are characteristic of path traversal attacks.