WP Hide & Security Enhancer <= 1.3.9.2 - Arbitrary File Download

2017-07-21 00:00
Julio Potier

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 1.4
Affected Version
<= 1.3.9.2
CVSS
7.5High
Weakness type
CWE-552 · Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties
CVE
CVE pending
View all WP Hide & Security Enhancer vulnerabilities

At a glance

This record tracks a high-severity Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties vulnerability in the WP Hide & Security Enhancer WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 1.3.9.2. 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 1.4; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed July 2017, reported by Julio Potier.

Vulnerability Overview

The WP Hide & Security Enhancer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Download in versions before 1.4. This is due to insufficient validation on the file path supplied via the 'file_path' parameter. This makes it possible for attackers to arbitrarily download files such as the wp-config.php file.

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-552: Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties

The product makes files or directories accessible to unauthorized actors, even though they should not be.

Remediation

Update to version 1.4, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

The attempt arrives as an ordinary request to WP Hide & Security Enhancer: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. None of that substitutes for the fix: WP Hide & Security Enhancer 1.4 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

  • Firewall
  • Alerts

External References

Related records

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