WordPress Information Disclosure Scanner

WordPress is a widely used content management system (CMS) that powers millions of websites around the world. It is popular due to its ease of use, flexibility, and wide array of plugins and themes that extend its functionality. WordPress is used by bloggers, businesses, and developers to create websites ranging from simple blogs to complex e-commerce platforms. Due to its widespread adoption, ensuring the security of WordPress installations is critical. Regular updates, security scans, and vulnerability testing help maintain the integrity and reliability of websites built on WordPress. This scanner specifically targets potential security misconfigurations that could lead to information disclosure.

The vulnerability detected by this scanner involves the exposure of debug logs on WordPress sites. These logs may contain sensitive information such as error messages, warnings, and notices generated by PHP scripts, which could inadvertently disclose system details or operational data. Information disclosure vulnerabilities may arise when debug settings are improperly configured, leading to files being accessible to unauthorized parties. Identifying these files allows administrators to take corrective actions to secure their WordPress installations. The scanner aims to detect such exposure to enhance security measures for WordPress environments.

The scanner checks for the presence of the "debug.log" file within common WordPress directories, such as "wp-content", "wordpress", "wp", and "blog". The log file might contain references to PHP warnings, notices, or references to undefined arrays or variables, indicating potential security issues. The endpoint subjected to examination is the publicly accessible URL of the WordPress installation, combined with the directory and filename for the debug log. If found, the scanner evaluates if the file contains non-obfuscated PHP messages or errors, which could be exploited by malicious individuals.

Possible effects of this vulnerability include the leakage of sensitive information about the WordPress installation and its underlying infrastructure. Disclosure of PHP warnings and notices could aid attackers in crafting more targeted attacks or further exploitation attempts. An adversary gaining access to such logs could identify systemic weaknesses, configuration mishaps, or even gather intelligence on the web server environment. Therefore, closing this exposure hole is crucial for maintaining the security and privacy of the site and its users.