File Manager <= 4.8 - Missing Authorization on AJAX Actions

2019-08-07 00:00
Patchstack

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 4.9
Affected Plugin
File Manager
Affected Version
<= 4.8
CVSS
6.3Medium
Weakness type
CWE-862 · Missing Authorization
CVE
CVE pending
View all File Manager vulnerabilities

At a glance

This record tracks a medium-severity Missing Authorization vulnerability in the File Manager WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 4.8. It carries a CVSS score of 6.3 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity). The root cause is a missing authorization check on a reachable function. The issue is fixed in version 4.9; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed August 2019, reported by Patchstack.

Vulnerability Overview

The File Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass due to missing capability checks on various functions hooked via AJAX actions in versions up to, and including, 4.8. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with subscriber-level permissions and above to delete back-ups and view sensitive information about back-ups.

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.

CWE-862: Missing Authorization

Reaching this weakness in File Manager <= 4.8 takes a caller who can reach the endpoint. A missing authorization check means a function is reachable by anyone who can reach the endpoint, because the code never asks whether the caller is allowed to perform the action.

Any user who can reach the endpoint gets to run an action reserved for higher-privileged roles, from reading protected data to changing settings or content. For File Manager the fix is 4.9: builds <= 4.8 are affected, anything from 4.9 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 4.9, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

Because it turns on account access, WordSec's login security is the relevant layer: role-based two-factor, captcha and brute-force limits raise the cost of getting the account this needs. None of that substitutes for the fix: File Manager 4.9 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

  • Login Security
  • Alerts

External References

https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/077b3483-ab1c-401d-aa67-c4da5fca90b4

Related records

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