Advanced Custom Fields for WordPress Full Path Disclosure Scanner

Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a popular plugin used in WordPress to enhance its functionality by allowing users to easily add custom fields to their themes. It is widely adopted by WordPress developers and site owners who need to extend the capabilities of the WordPress content management system, facilitating the addition and management of custom fields. The plugin is favored for its flexibility and ease of use, enabling both novice and experienced developers to tailor their WordPress setups. ACF is used in various contexts, from personal blogs to enterprise-level websites, offering developers the ability to manage, edit, and display custom field data cleanly. Its versatility makes it a staple in the WordPress ecosystem, known for improving content management efficiency.

The scanner focuses on detecting a Full Path Disclosure (FPD) vulnerability within the Advanced Custom Fields plugin. This vulnerability arises when the plugin improperly restricts access to certain source files, inadvertently revealing full server paths. When exploited, attackers can retrieve these server paths, which can provide clues for further exploitation techniques. FPD vulnerabilities are significant as they give insights into the server directory structure, which is often used in combination with other vulnerabilities. Mitigating such vulnerabilities is critical to maintaining the security posture of websites. Ensuring that plugins are free of such oversights is essential to protect sensitive server information.

Technical details of the vulnerability include improper access restrictions in source files within the ACF plugin. This oversight is found in the handling of requests to certain PHP files in the plugin's directory, particularly in the class-acf-field-accordion.php file. When the file is accessed, it inadvertently leaks full path information. The path disclosure typically occurs when an attacker can request the file without proper authorization checks, resulting in the exposure of essential server information. This information may include directories where web applications are stored, potentially aiding attackers in forming further attacks.

Exploiting this Full Path Disclosure vulnerability can have several negative effects. Attackers may use the disclosed path information to formulate more targeted attacks, potentially leading to further vulnerabilities being exploited. With detailed knowledge of server paths, attackers could identify sensitive directories, proprietary code, or configuration files. This could eventually lead to unauthorized access, data leaks, or the installation of malicious software. The revelation of such details could also assist attackers in bypassing other security mechanisms.

REFERENCES

• https://www.advancedcustomfields.com