CVE-2024-54382 in Bold Page Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2024
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in BoldThemes Bold Page Builder allows Path Traversal.This issue affects Bold Page Builder: from n/a through 5.1.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The CVE-2024-54382 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw within the BoldThemes Bold Page Builder plugin, which operates under the broader category of improper limitation of pathname to restricted directories. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing file operations. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of file paths, where malicious actors can exploit the lack of proper directory restriction controls to access unauthorized files or directories within the web server's file system. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Bold Page Builder plugin from the initial release through version 5.1.5, indicating a prolonged exposure window that could have allowed extensive exploitation opportunities.
The technical implementation of this path traversal vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes user-provided parameters that are directly incorporated into file path constructions without adequate sanitization or validation. Attackers can manipulate input fields or parameters to include directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar constructs that allow them to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. This weakness enables unauthorized access to sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and potentially system files that should remain protected from public access. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including web interface interactions, API calls, or direct parameter manipulation in HTTP requests.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-54382 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can provide attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and potentially achieve remote code execution within the affected environment. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a fundamental flaw in input validation and access control mechanisms. The attack surface is particularly concerning in WordPress environments where the Bold Page Builder plugin is commonly deployed, as these installations often contain sensitive data and may be running with elevated privileges. The vulnerability can be leveraged to extract sensitive information, modify application behavior, or establish persistent access points within the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 5.1.6 or later, which should contain the necessary fixes for the path traversal flaw. Organizations should implement additional defensive measures including web application firewall rules that can detect and block common path traversal patterns, input validation at multiple layers of the application stack, and regular security scanning of installed plugins and themes. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced where the web server operates with minimal required permissions, preventing attackers from accessing critical system files even if they successfully exploit the vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns or attempts to traverse directories that could indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for malicious file downloads that may accompany such attacks.