Simple Link Directory <= 5.6.0 - PHP Object Injection

2018-11-12 00:00
Anonymous

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 5.7.0
Affected Plugin
Simple Link Directory – AI Powered
Affected Version
<= 5.6.0
CVSS
8.8High
Weakness type
CWE-502 · Deserialization of Untrusted Data
CVE
CVE pending
View all Simple Link Directory – AI Powered vulnerabilities

At a glance

This record tracks a high-severity Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in the Simple Link Directory WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 5.6.0. It carries a CVSS score of 8.8 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality, integrity, availability impact). The issue is fixed in version 5.7.0; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed November 2018.

Vulnerability Overview

The Simple Link Directory plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in versions up to, and including, 5.6.0 via deserialization of untrusted input from the 'settings' parameters as part of the Option Tree framework. This allows authenticated attackers to inject a PHP Object. If a POP chain is present via an additional plugin or theme installed on the target system, it could allow the attacker to delete arbitrary files, retrieve sensitive data, or execute code.

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 interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability — full site compromise territory.

CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data

Simple Link Directory <= 5.6.0 carries this weakness at settings, and reaching it takes a caller who can reach the endpoint. Deserialization of untrusted data means the application reconstructs objects from input a caller controls, letting the attacker choose which classes get instantiated and what their properties hold.

A workable chain turns deserialization into file writes, deletions or code execution, depending on what the loaded classes do in their magic methods. For Simple Link Directory the fix is 5.7.0: builds <= 5.6.0 are affected, anything from 5.7.0 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 5.7.0, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

The attempt arrives as an ordinary request to Simple Link Directory: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. Classes like this one can leave something behind, so the staged malware scanner is the second half: it looks for dropped files and modified code rather than for the request that created them. None of that substitutes for the fix: Simple Link Directory 5.7.0 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

  • Firewall
  • Scanner
  • Alerts

External References

https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/bd302d8e-bba1-4fa1-bcbc-591d894ca1d6

Related records

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