User Role Editor Information Disclosure Scanner

The User Role Editor plugin is widely used in WordPress installations for managing and customizing user roles and capabilities. It is a popular choice among website administrators who utilize WordPress to grant or restrict access to various features of their websites. This plugin simplifies role management, allowing webmasters to create and customize roles to fit specific requirements. By managing capabilities, it helps maintain security and operational efficiency. The User Role Editor is commonly used in business websites, membership sites, and online communities. Ensuring its security is crucial, as its misconfiguration can lead to unauthorized access.

The Information Disclosure vulnerability in the User Role Editor plugin arises from improper access restrictions in its source files. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to retrieve full server paths, exposing sensitive information that can aid in exploiting the website further. Full path disclosure can lead to revealing underlying application structures and configurations. Attackers might use this information to discover other vulnerabilities or weaknesses for further attacks. Details of error messages can provide attackers with hints about the server's setup. Addressing this vulnerability is crucial to maintain server integrity and security.

In technical terms, this vulnerability is present in the plugin's main PHP files without sufficient access controls. When accessed via a direct GET request, if the server responds with a status code 200 and specific error messages, it indicates the presence of a full path disclosure vulnerability. This issue typically arises because error reporting in PHP is not adequately controlled. An attacker with knowledge of the installation directory can trigger such errors, leading to disclosure. The affected endpoint and parameters are typically related to the main plugin script file. Proper access controls are not enforced, allowing any user to exploit the vulnerability.

When exploited, this vulnerability might lead to serious security issues. It provides attackers with insights into file paths and system configurations, which can be leveraged for more advanced attacks. Malicious actors might use this information to probe further for vulnerabilities such as SQL injection or remote code execution. It could potentially lead to data leaks or further unauthorized access into the system. In worst-case scenarios, successful exploitation of the disclosed paths could allow for full system compromise. Preventing such disclosures is critical in maintaining a secure web server environment.

REFERENCES

• https://wordpress.org/plugins/user-role-editor/