Simple Backup <= 2.7.10 - Arbitrary File Download via Path Traversal
Strategic Overview
- Status
- Patched in 2.7.11
- Affected Plugin
- Simple Backup
- Affected Version
< 2.7.11- CVSS
- 7.5High
- Weakness type
- CWE-22 · Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
- CVE
CVE-2015-10134
At a glance
CVE-2015-10134 is a high-severity Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in the Simple Backup WordPress plugin, affecting versions < 2.7.11. It carries a CVSS score of 7.5 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality impact). Exploitation requires no authentication. The issue is fixed in version 2.7.11; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed May 2015, reported by Mahdi.Hidden (Ashiyane Digital Security Team).
Vulnerability Overview
The Simple Backup plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Download in versions up to, and including, 2.7.10. via the download_backup_file function. This is due to a lack of capability checks and file type validation. This makes it possible for attackers to download sensitive files such as the wp-config.php file from the affected site.
Technical Analysis
The vector marks this flaw as remotely reachable over the network, with low attack complexity — no special timing or configuration is needed, and no privileges on the target site, and no interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality.
CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Reaching this weakness in Simple Backup < 2.7.11 takes a caller who can reach the endpoint. Path traversal happens when user-controlled text is used to build a filesystem path without being constrained to an intended directory, so sequences like ../ walk the resolved path somewhere else.
Depending on the operation, it means reading files outside the intended folder — wp-config.php being the usual target — or writing to and deleting paths the web server can touch. For Simple Backup the fix is 2.7.11: builds < 2.7.11 are affected, anything from 2.7.11 onward is not.
Remediation
Update to version 2.7.11, or a newer patched version
How does WordSec protect against this?
The attempt arrives as an ordinary request to Simple Backup: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. None of that substitutes for the fix: Simple Backup 2.7.11 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.
- Firewall
- Alerts
External References
Related records
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