CVE-2017-1002002
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2017-1002002 is a critical vulnerability in the WordPress WebApp Builder plugin v2.0 that allows unauthenticated remote file upload and execution due to improper input validation. This affects any WordPress site running the vulnerable plugin version, potentially allowing attackers to take complete control of affected websites.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress WebApp Builder plugin
📦 What is this software?
Webapp Builder by Webapp Builder Project
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete server compromise leading to data theft, defacement, malware distribution, and use as a pivot point for attacking internal networks.
Likely Case
Website defacement, backdoor installation, credential theft, and SEO spam injection.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper web application firewalls, file upload restrictions, and intrusion detection systems in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit code is publicly available on Exploit-DB (ID 41540) and requires minimal technical skill to execute.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: N/A
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins-wp/webapp-builder/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Immediately remove the WebApp Builder plugin v2.0 from all WordPress installations. 2. Delete all plugin files from the server. 3. Scan for any backdoors or malicious files that may have been uploaded. 4. Consider using alternative web application builder plugins.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable plugin via WordPress admin
allDeactivate the WebApp Builder plugin through WordPress admin panel
Navigate to WordPress Admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins > Find 'WebApp Builder' > Click 'Deactivate'
Remove plugin files manually
linuxDelete plugin files from server filesystem
rm -rf /path/to/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/webapp-builder/
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict web application firewall rules to block file upload attempts to vulnerable endpoints
- Enable file integrity monitoring on WordPress upload directories and alert on unauthorized file changes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel for installed plugins. If WebApp Builder version 2.0 is present, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=webapp-builder --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm the plugin is no longer listed in WordPress admin > Plugins and verify the plugin directory does not exist on the filesystem.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- POST requests to /wp-content/plugins/webapp-builder/ upload endpoints
- Unusual file uploads to WordPress directories
- PHP file execution from upload directories
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to known vulnerable endpoints in the plugin
- Unusual outbound connections from web server
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (uri="/wp-content/plugins/webapp-builder/*" OR uri CONTAINS "webapp-builder")🔗 References
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96906
- http://www.vapidlabs.com/advisory.php?v=181
- https://wordpress.org/plugins-wp/webapp-builder/
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41540/
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96906
- http://www.vapidlabs.com/advisory.php?v=181
- https://wordpress.org/plugins-wp/webapp-builder/
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41540/
