CVE-2024-8252 in Clean Login Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/30/2024
The Clean Login plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 1.14.5 via the 'template' attribute of the clean-login-register shortcode. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files. This can be used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where images and other “safe” file types can be uploaded and included.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2024
The Clean Login plugin for WordPress presents a critical local file inclusion vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 1.14.5. This vulnerability resides within the clean-login-register shortcode implementation where the 'template' attribute fails to properly validate or sanitize user input. The flaw allows authenticated attackers who possess Contributor-level access or higher to manipulate the template parameter and include arbitrary files from the server filesystem. This represents a significant security weakness that directly violates the principle of least privilege and can be exploited to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the template attribute in the clean-login-register shortcode, which accepts user-supplied input without adequate validation mechanisms. When an authenticated user with Contributor permissions submits a malicious template parameter, the plugin processes this input directly without proper sanitization or path validation, enabling the inclusion of local files. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory," and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" when considering the potential for arbitrary code execution. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who should not have access to system-level operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it can be leveraged to bypass existing access controls and potentially achieve complete system compromise. An attacker can utilize this vulnerability to read sensitive files, execute malicious PHP code, and manipulate the WordPress installation in ways that could lead to data exfiltration or persistent backdoor establishment. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when combined with the ability to upload images or other "safe" file types, as attackers can upload malicious files with extensions that are typically allowed and then reference these files through the vulnerable template parameter. This combination of factors creates a pathway for attackers to circumvent standard security measures and achieve unauthorized access to server resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the Clean Login plugin to version 1.14.6 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at the application level, restriction of file inclusion capabilities, and monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage patterns. Network segmentation and privilege restriction should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities, while implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting known vulnerable parameters. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security.