CVE-2024-6164 in Filter & Grids Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2024
The Filter & Grids WordPress plugin before 2.8.33 is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion via the post_layout parameter. This makes it possible for an unauthenticated attacker to include and execute PHP files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6164 affects the Filter & Grids WordPress plugin version 2.8.32 and earlier, presenting a critical local file inclusion flaw that enables unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on affected systems. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the post_layout parameter, which fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the parameter to reference local files on the server, potentially leading to full system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability represents a significant security risk for WordPress installations using the affected plugin version, as it eliminates the need for authentication to exploit the flaw and provides direct access to server-side code execution capabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the plugin's file inclusion mechanism. When the post_layout parameter is processed, the application fails to implement adequate sanitization measures, allowing malicious input to traverse the file system and include arbitrary PHP files. This weakness aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious payloads that reference system files such as configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive resources that may be accessible through the web server's document root. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate sensitive information from the compromised system.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-6164 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with unrestricted access to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. This capability allows threat actors to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to data theft, system reconnaissance, privilege escalation, and deployment of additional malware or backdoors. The vulnerability's unauthenticated nature means that any individual with access to the affected WordPress site can exploit this flaw without requiring valid credentials, making it particularly dangerous for high-traffic or publicly accessible websites. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the Filter & Grids plugin face potential exposure to complete system compromise, data breaches, and service disruption. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that WordPress plugins often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system resources, making successful exploitation particularly damaging. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003, which covers server-side include attacks, and demonstrates how web application vulnerabilities can lead to broader system compromise through code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6164 primarily involve immediate patching of the Filter & Grids plugin to version 2.8.33 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent the local file inclusion vulnerability. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at the web application firewall level to detect and block suspicious parameter values that could be used to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for unusual file access patterns and implement proper file permissions to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other installed plugins and themes. The recommended approach also includes implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, while maintaining up-to-date backups to facilitate system recovery in case of compromise. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized file inclusion attempts and anomalous PHP execution patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.