WordPress Amministrazione Aperta Local File Inclusion Scanner

WordPress Amministrazione Aperta is a plugin used primarily by government and public administration websites to increase transparency and provide access to information and services online. Its purpose is to enhance the communication and information exchange between government bodies and citizens. The plugin rests on the WordPress platform, which is popular for its customizable and user-friendly content management system. Users of the plugin include web administrators and developers who seek to implement e-governance solutions. The software's functionalities are extended to cater to the specific needs of municipalities and public sector entities, enabling them to share data and updates efficiently. Overall, it aims to bolster governmental processes by leveraging digital tools.

The Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability occurs when an application is tricked into including files on a server through the web browser. This vulnerability typically arises from unsafe handling of user input in a way that enables unauthorized file access. Attackers exploit LFI vulnerabilities to read sensitive files, such as server configuration, or execute arbitrary commands by including special files available on the web server. LFI can potentially escalate to Remote Code Execution (RCE) if improperly managed. Detecting LFI is crucial as it may provide attackers with critical insights into the server's architecture or stored sensitive data. Securing web applications against LFI involves properly sanitizing and validating user inputs to eliminate unauthorized file access.

WordPress Amministrazione Aperta 3.7.3 is vulnerable through the 'dispatcher.php' endpoint of the plugin. The vulnerability is exploited via a crafted URL which intercepts and manipulates user inputs in a manner that facilitates external file access. The attacker can include local files by using path traversal sequences in the 'open' parameter. This capability allows the attacker to read files such as '/etc/passwd', which has been used traditionally to demonstrate vulnerabilities due to its availability on Linux systems. The regex "root:[x*]:0:0" identifies the LFI by confirming the presence of Unix-based system user data. Security assessments on this endpoint prove vital for discovering and mitigating harm before exploitation.

If exploited, this vulnerability could lead to exposure of sensitive server-side files. These files may contain confidential information like configuration data, user credentials, or stored session tokens. Local file inclusion can lay the foundation for more severe attacks, such as remote command execution or even total server compromise if files writable by the web process are included. This security flaw thus necessitates immediate attention and remediation to protect against potential data breaches or unauthorized actions on the server. Addressing such vulnerabilities allows organizations to safeguard their digital assets and uphold user trust.

REFERENCES

• https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50838
• https://wordpress.org/plugins/amministrazione-aperta