WordPress Plugin Intuitive Custom Post Order Information Disclosure Scanner

The Intuitive Custom Post Order plugin for WordPress is widely used by website administrators to provide a user-friendly interface for ordering posts and custom post types. The plugin is pivotal in enhancing the content management processes by allowing easier manipulation of post orders without the need for extensive technical knowledge. Its flexibility and ease of use make it a preferred choice for many WordPress sites. Administrators of educational, corporate, and personal blogs utilize this plugin to maintain the desired order of posts, ensuring that priority content is prominently displayed. The plugin integrates seamlessly with WordPress and is compatible with popular themes, making it a versatile option for various types of websites. Its adoption is further facilitated by the support and updates provided by the WordPress community.

The Information Disclosure vulnerability addressed in this scanner occurs when the Intuitive Custom Post Order plugin allows access to its backend PHP files without sufficient security restrictions. This vulnerability arises due to the lack of adequate protection of sensitive resources that might expose server paths. Attackers exploit this to gather information on server configurations and file structures, facilitating further attacks. The vulnerability is triggered by specific malicious attempts to access protected resources directly through exposed endpoints. The risk is compounded when error messages reveal the physical path of files on the server, which could aid in orchestrating more serious attacks. Ensuring robust access controls and error handling is crucial in preventing such information leaks.

The technical essence of this Information Disclosure flaw in the Intuitive Custom Post Order plugin lies in the plugin's improper handling of direct access requests to certain admin files. The vulnerable endpoints include paths leading to settings.php and settings-network.php under the plugin's admin directory. When directly accessed, these files attempt execution without protection, leading to potential errors that leak sensitive server path information. Error messages containing phrases like "Fatal error" and "Uncaught Error" are particularly concerning as they might inadvertently expose the directory structure. These vulnerabilities are easily exploitable by attackers who can craft requests to provoke responses that include valuable system details.

Exploitation of this vulnerability can result in severe consequences such as unauthorized knowledge of server infrastructure by malicious actors. This information can facilitate more sophisticated attacks, including file inclusion exploits and further reconnaissance activities. An attacker gaining insights into the server's directory structure could leverage other vulnerabilities in the system, leading to potentially disastrous breaches. Additionally, exposed path information could be used to undermine the privacy and integrity of the server, adversely affecting website administrators and users. It is therefore imperative to address this information leak to maintain server confidentiality and integrity.

REFERENCES

• https://wordpress.org/plugins/intuitive-custom-post-order/