CVE-2024-52449
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a path traversal vulnerability in the WordPress Bootscraper plugin, allowing attackers to include local PHP files via improper pathname restrictions. It affects all versions up to 2.1.0, potentially compromising websites using this plugin. Attackers can exploit this to read sensitive files or execute arbitrary code.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Bootscraper plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full server compromise via arbitrary PHP code execution, leading to data theft, defacement, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Sensitive file disclosure (e.g., configuration files, passwords) and limited code execution within the web server context.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if file permissions are restrictive and web server runs with limited privileges, though information leakage may still occur.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation is straightforward via crafted HTTP requests; public proof-of-concept details are available online.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.1.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/wp-bootscraper/wordpress-wordpress-bootscraper-plugin-2-1-0-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Bootscraper plugin and update to version 2.1.1 or later. 4. Verify update completes successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Bootscraper plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the plugin to prevent exploitation until patching is possible.
wp plugin deactivate wp-bootscraper
Restrict file access via web server
linuxConfigure web server (e.g., Apache, Nginx) to block requests attempting path traversal patterns.
# Example for Apache: add 'RewriteRule .*\.\./.* - [F,L]' to .htaccess
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block path traversal attempts.
- Monitor and audit file access logs for suspicious activity related to the plugin.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress plugin version via admin panel or use command: wp plugin list --name=bootscraper --field=versionCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name=bootscraper --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Bootscraper plugin version is 2.1.1 or higher using the same command or admin interface.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests with '../' sequences targeting Bootscraper plugin files
- Unexpected file reads in web server logs (e.g., access to /etc/passwd)
Network Indicators:
- Inbound traffic with path traversal patterns (e.g., '..', '%2e%2e') to plugin endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (url="*../*" OR url="*%2e%2e/*") AND plugin="bootscraper"