WordPress 3.7.1/3.8 Credentials options-writing.php backdoor

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in WordPress 3.7.1/3.8. This impacts an unknown function of the file wp-admin/options-writing.php of the component Credentials Handler. The manipulation leads to backdoor. Moreover, an exploit is present.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in WordPress 3.7.1/3.8 (Content Management System). It has been rated as critical. This issue affects an unknown functionality of the file wp-admin/options-writing.php of the component Credentials Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a backdoor vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-912. The product contains functionality that is not documented, not part of the specification, and not accessible through an interface or command sequence that is obvious to the product's users or administrators. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The weakness was disclosed 12/16/2013 by MustLive as Information Leakage and Backdoor vulnerabilities in WordPress as not defined mailinglist post (Full-Disclosure). The advisory is shared at seclists.org. The public release happened without involvement of the project team. The exploitation is known to be difficult. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. Technical details as well as a public exploit are known. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1588.001 for this issue. The advisory points out:

The login and password from e-mail are saved in DB in plain text (unencrypted) in Writing Settings (http://site/wp-admin/options-writing.php), if this functionality is used. So by receiving data from DB via SQL Injection or Information Leakage vulnerability, or by receiving content of this page via XSS, or by accessing admin panel via any vulnerability, it's possible to get login and password from e-mail account.

After immediately, there has been an exploit disclosed. It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $5k-$25k. By approaching the search of inurl:wp-admin/options-writing.php it is possible to find vulnerable targets with Google Hacking.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at OSVDB (101101†). websecurity.com.ua is providing further details. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Content Management System

Name

• WordPress

Version

• 3.7.1
• 3.8

License

• open-source

Website

• Product: https://wordpress.com/

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Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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