CVE-2024-35746 - Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type Vulnerability in Asghar Hatampoor BuddyPress Cover Allows Code Injection

The Asghar Hatampoor BuddyPress Cover plugin for WordPress has been found to be vulnerable to a security flaw known as Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, which allows an attacker to inject malicious code into the system. The vulnerability has been designated the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number CVE-2024-35746.

This vulnerability affects all versions of the BuddyPress Cover plugin from its inception through version 2.1.4.2. This post discusses the details of the vulnerability, how it can be exploited, and what steps users should take to protect their systems.

Description of the Vulnerability

The Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability in the BuddyPress Cover plugin allows an attacker to upload a file with a dangerous type, such as a PHP script, which can then be executed on the server. This can lead to arbitrary code execution, data theft, and even a complete takeover of the affected system.

This vulnerability exists due to insufficient checks on uploaded files and the failure to limit the types of files that can be uploaded.

Exploitation Details

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to be able to create an account on the target system and upload a custom cover image for their profile. The attacker can then craft a malicious file with a dangerous type, such as a PHP script disguised as an image file, and upload it to the system as their cover image. The server will process the malicious file, causing it to execute the code contained in the file.

A sample PHP script that could be used in this attack might look like this

<?php
// A simple example of a PHP script that can be used to exploit the vulnerability
echo shell_exec($_GET["cmd"]);
?>

Once the script is uploaded and executed, the attacker could use it to run any arbitrary command on the server.

To protect your WordPress installation from this vulnerability, the following steps are recommended

1. Update the BuddyPress Cover plugin: Download the latest version of the BuddyPress Cover plugin (2.1.4.2), which can be found at the official WordPress plugin repository.

2. Limit user registration: If your site does not require user registration, disable it in the WordPress settings. If your site does require registration, consider using plugins for additional security measures, such as Two-Factor Authentication and limiting user roles.

3. Monitor file uploads: Regularly check the /uploads directory for suspicious files, and remove any that are not recognized or trusted.

4. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF): Use a WAF to help protect your site from a variety of attacks, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and others.

For further details and updates on CVE-2024-35746, please consult the NIST National Vulnerability Database and WPScan Vulnerability Database.

Conclusion

This post has provided an overview of the CVE-2024-35746 vulnerability in the Asghar Hatampoor BuddyPress Cover plugin, including a description of the flaw, exploitation details, and recommended mitigation steps. Users of this plugin are strongly advised to take the necessary steps to protect their systems and safeguard their data from potential attacks.

Timeline

Published on: 06/10/2024 17:16:30 UTC
Last modified on: 06/12/2024 17:36:02 UTC