CVE-2024-5599 in FileOrganizer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2024
The FileOrganizer – Manage WordPress and Website Files plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.7 via the 'fileorganizer_ajax_handler' function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to extract sensitive data including backups or other sensitive information if the files have been moved to the built-in Trash folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2024
The FileOrganizer plugin for WordPress presents a critical sensitive information exposure vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 11.0.7. This flaw resides within the 'fileorganizer_ajax_handler' function which fails to properly authenticate or authorize requests, creating an unauthorized access vector for malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets files that have been moved to the WordPress built-in Trash folder, making it particularly dangerous as these files often contain sensitive backup data or confidential website information. The exposure occurs through an AJAX handler that should require proper authentication but instead allows any unauthenticated user to access restricted file operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the plugin's AJAX processing function. When users move files to the Trash folder, the plugin should maintain proper access restrictions to prevent unauthorized retrieval of these files. However, the 'fileorganizer_ajax_handler' function lacks proper authentication checks, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass normal WordPress security controls. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input validation practices. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, specifically focusing on insufficient authorization checks in web applications. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for WordPress sites that rely on the FileOrganizer plugin for file management, as attackers can potentially extract sensitive backup files, configuration data, or other confidential information that has been inadvertently placed in the Trash folder.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to potentially reconstruct website structures, access database backup files, or retrieve other sensitive information that could facilitate further attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence about the target website's infrastructure, potentially identifying other vulnerabilities or extracting credentials from backup files. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the Trash folder often contains files that users may have moved there without proper consideration of security implications, making the exposure more likely to occur in real-world scenarios. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 which focuses on data from information repositories, specifically targeting the extraction of sensitive files from web application storage systems. The exposure risk is amplified when considering that WordPress backup files frequently contain database credentials, plugin configurations, and other sensitive information that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within a compromised environment.
Organizations using the FileOrganizer plugin should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest available version where this vulnerability has been patched, implementing additional access controls through web application firewalls, and conducting thorough audits of files in Trash folders to identify and remove sensitive information. Network-level protections such as rate limiting and IP-based restrictions can provide temporary mitigation while updates are deployed. Security teams should also monitor for suspicious file access patterns and implement proper file management policies that prevent sensitive data from being placed in easily accessible locations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication mechanisms in web applications and the potential consequences of inadequate access control implementation in third-party plugins. Regular security assessments of WordPress plugins and the implementation of automated vulnerability scanning processes can help identify similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.