Local File Inclusion Vulnerability in WP Umbrella Plugin for WordPress

CVE-2024-12209

What is CVE-2024-12209?

CVE-2024-12209 is a local file inclusion vulnerability found in the WP Umbrella Plugin, a tool utilized within the WordPress ecosystem for backup, restoration, and monitoring services. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.17.0, permitting unauthenticated attackers to exploit the 'filename' parameter in the 'umbrella-restore' action. If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could enable malicious actors to include and execute arbitrary files on a server, thus posing a severe risk to organizations relying on this plugin for their website operations.

Technical Details

The vulnerability arises from improper validation of user-supplied input in the WP Umbrella Plugin. Specifically, the 'filename' parameter can be manipulated to perform local file inclusion attacks, which grant unauthorized access to server files. This allows attackers to execute any PHP code embedded within those files. The exploit does not require any authentication, making it particularly dangerous, as it could readily be triggered by anyone with network access to the affected server.

Potential Impact of CVE-2024-12209

1. Unauthorized Access to Sensitive Data: If the vulnerability is exploited, attackers could gain access to confidential information stored on the server, potentially leading to data breaches and the exposure of sensitive user information.

2. Remote Code Execution: The ability to execute arbitrary PHP code can lead to a complete compromise of the server’s integrity, allowing attackers to install malware, modify existing files, or create backdoors for future access.

3. Bypassing Security Controls: Exploiting this vulnerability may allow attackers to circumvent existing security measures, enabling further exploitation or manipulation of the affected website and its associated systems.

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