External risk intelligence

WordPress plugin lets attackers upload code to take over your site

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.3)

CVE-2018-25335

WordPress plugin Peugeot Music has a critical flaw letting anyone upload malicious code to take over your site without needing a password.

4Halo Surface Signal

Missing Authentication

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2018-25335

This vulnerability affects a WordPress plugin, which functions as part of a web application. Because WordPress sites are frequently deployed as public-facing websites, the vulnerable upload.php endpoint is commonly exposed to the internet.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This vulnerability in a WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to upload and execute malicious files on affected systems. This could allow attackers to take control of the server.

  • Attackers can upload arbitrary files.
  • Existing access is not required.
  • This can lead to server compromise.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An unauthenticated attacker can upload a malicious file to a WordPress site using the Peugeot Music plugin. By sending a POST request to `upload.php` and manipulating the 'name' parameter, attackers can bypass file extension restrictions to upload executable code. This code can then be triggered from the uploads directory, allowing for arbitrary code execution on the server.

  • Target any WordPress site.
  • Upload executable files.
  • No authentication required.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This arbitrary file upload vulnerability in a WordPress plugin is a prime target for attackers looking to compromise websites. The ease of exploitation, combined with the common exposure of WordPress sites, makes it an attractive vector for widespread attacks. Attackers favor such vulnerabilities because they can lead to immediate code execution and complete system takeover.

  • Unauthenticated remote code execution.
  • Publicly available exploit code.
  • Affects widely deployed software.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

Focus on isolating services where the Peugeot Music 1.0 WordPress plugin is deployed, as it allows unauthenticated arbitrary file uploads. Actively scan for and block any suspicious POST requests targeting the upload.php endpoint to prevent code execution. Given the critical severity and lack of specific patch information, containment is the immediate priority.

  • Block access to upload.php.
  • Monitor for unexpected file uploads.
  • Identify and disable the plugin.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Peugeot Music plugin for WordPress?

The Peugeot Music plugin is a component for WordPress websites that likely adds music-related functionalities. It is used to enhance the features of a WordPress site by introducing capabilities related to music playback or management.

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2018-25335?

CVE-2018-25335 is an arbitrary file upload vulnerability. This weakness means an attacker can upload any type of file, including malicious code, to a web server without proper checks.

How can an attacker exploit this WordPress plugin vulnerability?

An attacker can exploit this by sending a special POST request to the plugin's `upload.php` file. By manipulating the 'name' parameter in the request, an attacker can bypass security checks and upload a malicious file with an executable extension.

Who should be concerned about this threat?

Anyone running a WordPress site that uses the Peugeot Music plugin version 1.0 should be concerned. This is because the vulnerability is classified as external, meaning it can be exploited over the internet, potentially affecting publicly accessible websites.

What should I do if I use this WordPress plugin?

If you are using the Peugeot Music 1.0 plugin, the immediate step is to isolate any affected WordPress instances. You should also look for and block any unusual POST requests targeting `upload.php` to prevent potential code execution.

References