UpdraftPlus Plugin Information Disclosure Scanner

UpdraftPlus is a popular WordPress plugin used by website administrators to perform backups, restore data, and manage migrations. It is highly valued in the WordPress community for its ease of use with multisite networks and its capability to back up files into the cloud. Users leverage this plugin to ensure data consistency and recovery options across various environments and web servers. This tool is often utilized by developers, site maintainers, and IT administrators to safeguard against data loss. UpdraftPlus integration options make it compatible with numerous hosting services, offering both free and premium features for additional functionalities. With its advanced scheduling and reporting features, it is an essential tool for automated website management.

This vulnerability arises from an insecure default configuration that allows directory listing within the UpdraftPlus plugin. Such a configuration can expose sensitive files and information, including private cryptographic keys, configuration parameters, and other potential vectors for attacks. It is a misconfiguration that typically occurs when security best practices are not diligently followed, allowing unauthorized access to hidden directories. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to identify and leverage sensitive files that can be used in further attempts to compromise website integrity. The disclosure of sensitive information can lead to direct attacks, data breaches, or unauthorized system access. Addressing this issue is crucial to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of website resources.

In detail, the vulnerability exists due to the plugin's directory allowing listing access when the default configuration is not secured. Within the path '/wp-content/plugins/updraftplus/includes/', the directory listing reveals the presence of '.pem' files and other sensitive UpdraftPlus indications. The plugin's default configuration lacks robust access controls, so files can be listed when the server returns a status code 200. This misconfiguration provides attackers with a roadmap of accessible files, including potential PEM encryption keys, without any authentication barrier. By obtaining such files, attackers may gain unauthorized access to encrypted data or back-end systems. Mitigating this vulnerability requires reconfiguring server settings to prevent directory indexing.

When exploited, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files such as encryption keys and backups, potentially allowing an attacker to decrypt sensitive data. It may further expose the site to injection attacks, privilege escalation, or unauthorized administrative access. The breach of private files can aid attackers in executing other malicious activities such as defacement, data theft, or service disruption. The website's overall credibility and trustworthiness could be compromised, resulting in potential financial and reputational damage. Additionally, users and administrators could face significant challenges in remediating the effects of exploited vulnerabilities if left unchecked.

REFERENCES

• https://www.exploit-db.com/ghdb/6437