The WP Automatic plugin suffers from a Path Traversal vulnerability, which allows attackers to access restricted directories and execute arbitrary code on the server. This security flaw impacts versions of the Automatic plugin from its initial release up to version 3.92.0. Additionally, the vulnerability can lead to Server Side Request Forgery, further compromising the security of the website using the affected plugin. Users of WP Automatic are advised to update to the latest version to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

Disclaimer

The content provided here is for educational purposes only. It is designed to help security enthusiasts and professionals understand vulnerabilities and improve application security. Please use the information responsibly and never for illegal activities or unauthorized testing. Always ensure you have proper authorization before performing any security testing on systems, applications, or networks.

We are not responsible for any misuse of the materials shared here or any consequences that arise from their use. All testing should be done in a controlled environment, such as the labs or Docker images we provide, or with explicit permission from system owners. By using OpenExploit resources, you agree to follow applicable laws and ethical guidelines.

About WP Automatic

WP Automatic is a powerful WordPress plugin designed to automate the process of content creation and posting on your website. It enables users to automatically scrape and import content from various sources such as articles, affiliate products, videos, and images, and post them directly to their WordPress site. Additionally, WP Automatic is highly customizable, allowing users to set specific criteria for content filtering, scheduling, and formatting to ensure that the automated content aligns with their website's theme and audience.

Mitigation

1. Upgrade to the latest version of WP Automatic Automatic, version 3.92.1 or higher, to address this vulnerability.
2. Implement strict input validation to ensure that only valid and expected characters are allowed in file paths and names.
3. Use canonicalization processes to resolve and validate file paths before using them in file operations.
4. Implement least privilege access controls for file directories to restrict access to only essential users and processes.
5. Monitor and log file access and manipulation activities to detect and react to potential path traversal attempts.
6. Regularly audit and review your security configurations and update them as necessary to prevent path traversal attacks.
7. Educate your development and security teams about the risks of path traversal vulnerabilities and encourage secure coding practices

Exploit Scenario

An attacker can exploit the Path Traversal vulnerability in WP Automatic by crafting a malicious request containing special characters such as "../", enabling them to access files and directories stored outside the intended restricted directory. This can potentially lead to the unauthorized access, modification, or deletion of sensitive data on the server. Additionally, the vulnerability can be used in conjunction with Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF) to make unauthorized requests to internal services or retrieve data from internal systems that are otherwise inaccessible from the external network. This can result in a broader security breach, compromising the security integrity of the entire server and potentially other connected systems.

DockerHub Link

To try out a demo environment for CVE-2024-27954, you can visit our DockerHub repository here

Video Tutorial

Video tutorials for exploiting CVE-2024-27954 is available here

About OpenExploit

OpenExploit is a learning platform dedicated to exploring and understanding vulnerabilities in open-source and widely used applications. We focus on manual exploitation techniques, enabling security enthusiasts to learn and build their skills without over-reliance on automation scripts.