CVE-2022-3124 Scanner

Frontend File Manager is a popular plugin used in WordPress for managing uploaded files directly from the frontend of a website. This tool is commonly deployed by site administrators who lack direct access to the backend, allowing them to handle user-uploaded files for various purposes such as storing documents, media, or other important data. The plugin provides a user-friendly interface that enhances the user experience by enabling file uploads and management without the need to navigate the complex WordPress dashboard. As sites using WordPress plugins often serve a wide range of users, these plugins need to maintain tight security to protect user data and maintain site integrity. This plugin, particularly, is implemented in environments where seamless file management is crucial for content creators, business applications, and interactive community platforms. Despite its utility, ensuring that plugins like Frontend File Manager are kept secure is vital to prevent potential vulnerabilities.

The unauthenticated file upload vulnerability in Frontend File Manager, before version 21.3, is a significant security flaw that allows unauthorized users to rename files on the webserver without authentication. This flaw arises from improper validation protocols concerning the destination filename during the renaming process. Such vulnerabilities expose server contents to potential modifications, leading to further exploits if left unchecked. This vulnerability can severely affect the integrity of the web server by allowing attackers to modify or rename critical files. With unauthorized changes, attackers can indirectly insert malicious data or scripts into the server, leading to compromised server security. Patch updates to the plugin have addressed these issues, but systems with outdated versions remain at risk. Understanding and addressing these vulnerabilities ensures the continuity and reliability of affected systems.

The vulnerability's technical details lie in the POST request sent to the '/wp-json/wpfm/v1/file-rename' endpoint, where unauthenticated users may insert arbitrary values. The plugin fails to enforce stringent checks on the 'filename' parameter, allowing crafted requests to alter server-side files. The attack requires no prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous due to its ease of execution by anyone with access to the target system. The request constructs to rename a file using fileid and filename parameters render it vulnerable if the latter parameter bears malicious input. Regular expressions and content type matchers validate the occurrence of the exploit by examining response for JSON patterns. Consequently, without adequate safeguarding mechanisms or updates, the exposure persists, facilitating unauthorized file manipulations on vulnerable installations.

Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to severe consequences including data tampering, file defacement, or hijacking of the server's filesystem. Attackers could potentially replace legitimate files with malicious scripts, gain unauthorized server access, or initiate malware attacks. Additionally, successful exploitation could compromise sensitive user data and site operations, leading to broader security implications. Furthermore, the attacker could manipulate critical configuration files, causing service disruptions, unauthorized access points, and potential damage to the server's credibility and user trust. Addressing this issue promptly mitigates risks associated with unauthorized file operations and preserves server integrity.

REFERENCES

• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-3124
• https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/00f76765-95af-4dbc-8c37-f1b15a0e8608/