CVE-2015-5609
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2015-5609 is an absolute path traversal vulnerability in the Image Export plugin for WordPress that allows attackers to read and delete arbitrary files on the server by manipulating the file parameter. This affects WordPress sites running Image Export plugin version 1.1. Attackers can access sensitive files like configuration files, password files, or database credentials.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Image Export plugin
📦 What is this software?
Image Export by Image Export Project
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete server compromise through reading sensitive files like /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, or database credentials, followed by arbitrary file deletion leading to service disruption.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to sensitive files containing credentials or configuration data, potentially leading to further exploitation or data theft.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper file permissions and web server configuration restricting access to sensitive directories.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires no authentication and uses simple path traversal techniques via the file parameter.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.1.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: http://www.vapid.dhs.org/advisory.php?v=135
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins. 3. Find Image Export plugin. 4. Update to version 1.1.1 or later. 5. If update not available, deactivate and delete the plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Image Export plugin
allDeactivate and remove the vulnerable plugin from WordPress
wp plugin deactivate image-export
wp plugin delete image-export
Web server path restriction
allConfigure web server to block access to download.php or restrict file parameter inputs
# Apache: Add to .htaccess
<Files "download.php">
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</Files>
# Nginx: Add to server block
location ~* /download\.php$ {
deny all;
}
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately deactivate and remove the Image Export plugin from WordPress
- Implement web application firewall rules to block requests containing path traversal patterns in the file parameter
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins for Image Export plugin version 1.1Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=image-export --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.1.1 or later, or confirm plugin is not installed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /wp-content/plugins/image-export/download.php with file parameter containing absolute paths like /etc/passwd
- Multiple failed file access attempts with path traversal patterns
Network Indicators:
- Unusual requests to download.php with file parameter containing ../ or absolute paths
- Requests attempting to access sensitive system files
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri="*download.php*" AND (file="*/etc/*" OR file="*../*" OR file="*C:\\*" OR file="*/root/*")🔗 References
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/07/13/10
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/07/21/1
- http://www.vapid.dhs.org/advisory.php?v=135
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/07/13/10
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/07/21/1
- http://www.vapid.dhs.org/advisory.php?v=135
