Simple File List <= 3.2.4 - Arbitrary File Deletion

2019-05-23 00:00
Admavidhya N

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 3.2.5
Affected Plugin
Simple File List
Affected Version
<= 3.2.4
CVSS
8.6High
Weakness type
CWE-22 · Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
CVE
CVE pending
View all Simple File List vulnerabilities

At a glance

This record tracks a high-severity Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in the Simple File List WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 3.2.4. It carries a CVSS score of 8.6 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high integrity impact). Exploitation requires no authentication. The issue is fixed in version 3.2.5; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed May 2019, reported by Admavidhya N.

Vulnerability Overview

The Simple File List plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Deletion in versions up to, and including, 3.2.4. This is due to the upward path traversal via the 'eeDeleteFile' parameter. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to delete files within the vulnerable service.

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 integrity.

CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

Simple File List <= 3.2.4 carries this weakness at eeDeleteFile, and reaching it 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 File List the fix is 3.2.5: builds <= 3.2.4 are affected, anything from 3.2.5 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 3.2.5, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

The attempt arrives as an ordinary request to Simple File List: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. None of that substitutes for the fix: Simple File List 3.2.5 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

  • Firewall
  • Alerts

External References

https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/fdfb5e74-e52c-4f44-acdc-9740624af9e7

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