WordPress Plugin Hello Dolly Information Disclosure Scanner

WordPress Plugin Hello Dolly is a popular add-on used by WordPress websites to display random lyrics from the song "Hello, Dolly!" in the dashboard. It is widely used in WordPress environments to add a touch of customization and fun. This plugin is often installed by default with WordPress installations, making it prevalent across many websites. While mainly used for aesthetic purposes, it's important to ensure that plugins like Hello Dolly do not introduce security vulnerabilities. The plugin is typically managed by website administrators who have the capability to install or deactivate plugins as needed. Overall, it serves as a minimalistic example of creating WordPress plugins.

The Information Disclosure vulnerability in the WordPress Plugin Hello Dolly can potentially expose sensitive server path information. This occurs because the plugin's files are publicly accessible without adequate protection, such as ABSPATH checks. When these files are accessed directly, they may display PHP error messages, disclosing full server paths. Such disclosures can be leveraged by malicious actors to gather information about the server configuration and environment. Although this vulnerability is considered low severity, it can provide footholds for attackers to perform further exploits. Keeping information protected is crucial to maintaining overall server security.

Technical details of this vulnerability indicate that the plugin files, such as hello.php, are accessible directly via the web. When requested, these files might trigger error messages if certain conditions are met, like incorrect requests or missing files. The errors typically display full path disclosures, revealing server information. This issue arises due to the lack of ABSPATH protection in the plugin's files, which is a common method to prevent direct access. Such gaps in protection can be utilized to infer server paths and detailed error responses. This direct file access vulnerability needs to be mitigated to protect server integrity and information confidentiality.

Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to the disclosure of sensitive server paths and backend infrastructure details. Attackers gaining access to such information can better plan their intrusion methods, potentially looking for known weaknesses in server configurations. The disclosed information could also be used in social engineering attacks or in crafting more sophisticated attacks against other server elements. If combined with other vulnerabilities, the exposed information can act as a stepping stone for more severe exploits. Protecting against this vulnerability is key to preserving server security and minimizing potential attack vectors.

REFERENCES

• https://wordpress.org/plugins/hello-dolly/