Description
A critical vulnerability has been identified in the iControlWP – Multiple WordPress Site Manager plugin for WordPress.
Affected Product(s)
- iControlWP – Multiple WordPress Site Manager (versions up to and including 4.4.5)
Technical Details
The iControlWP – Multiple WordPress Site Manager plugin, utilized for managing multiple WordPress installations from a single dashboard, contains a severe vulnerability within its codebase. Specifically, the vulnerability pertains to the deserialization of untrusted input. At the heart of this vulnerability is the `reqpars` parameter, which is susceptible to PHP Object Injection.
Essentially, this means that an attacker could manipulate the `reqpars` parameter to inject a PHP object as input, potentially leading to harmful consequences depending on the context of the deserialized data. PHP Object Injection vulnerabilities occur when an application deserializes user-controllable data, thereby allowing an attacker to manipulate the properties of the object being deserialized.
In this case, if the `reqpars` parameter is controlled by an attacker, it can be designed to initialize an object with malicious properties. The iControlWP plugin does not come with a Pre-Existing Object Primitive (POP) chain by default, which would otherwise directly facilitate malicious operations like executing arbitrary code or deleting files. However, the risk escalates when combined with another vulnerable plugin or theme that incorporates a POP chain.
In such scenarios, this vulnerability can be exploited more profoundly, enabling various malicious activities such as:
- Deletion of arbitrary files: With the right POP chain, an attacker could manipulate file handling functions to target and erase crucial files.
- Retrieval of sensitive data: Malicious objects could be used to access and extract data that should remain confidential.
- Execution of arbitrary code: Leveraging a suitable POP chain could allow an attacker to execute code arbitrarily within the web server context.
This vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily because of its unauthenticated nature. An attacker does not need to be authenticated to exploit this vulnerability, making it a highly attractive target for exploitation. Furthermore, the exploitability of this vulnerability relies on the presence of additional vulnerable components, creating a potential interconnected web of exploitation vectors.
To sum up, the technical fabric of this vulnerability within the iControlWP plugin revolves around the careless handling of deserialized data through the `reqpars` parameter. This makes it an entry point for much more vast and impactful attacks when combined with other vulnerabilities present within the WordPress ecosystem.
Weakness
This vulnerability is primarily associated with the Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502). Deserialization flaws arise when data provided by an attacker is deserialized by the application, leading to numerous potential attacks depending on what the attacker manages to control within the deflation context.
Impact Assessment
If exploited, this vulnerability could enable an attacker to execute various nefarious activities on the affected system. This includes gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, executing arbitrary code, or deleting critical files. The actual impact is dependent on the existence and interaction of a suitable POP chain within the WordPress site, able to leverage the malformed PHP object.
Active Exploitation
Currently, there are no known adversary groups specifically exploiting this vulnerability in an active manner. However, given the critical nature of the vulnerability, it is paramount to monitor for any potential exploits.
Ransomware Association
There have been no direct associations of this vulnerability with ransomware attacks up to this point. However, should an attacker successfully exploit this vulnerability in combination with a suitable POP chain, the compromised access could be utilized as an entry point for later stages of a ransomware attack.
Mitigation and Resolution
We have released a patch that addresses this vulnerability. Please update to version 4.4.6 immediately.
Recommendations
- We strongly recommend that all customers apply the latest patch as soon as possible.
- To update, navigate to your WordPress Admin Dashboard -> Plugins -> Installed Plugins, and update the iControlWP plugin to the latest version.
- Review and remove any unnecessary or inactive plugins and themes that might contribute to security risks.
- Regularly back up your WordPress site to ensure you can recover your data in the event of an attack.
- Monitor your site for any unusual activities and be proactive in applying security improvements and updates.
- Consider utilizing additional security plugins designed to provide enhanced protection against known vulnerabilities.
References