WordPress Plugin Media Gallery Pro Directory Listing Due to Insecure Default Configuration Scanner

The WordPress Plugin Media Gallery Pro is a tool widely used by content creators, bloggers, and businesses for managing their multimedia files efficiently. It integrates seamlessly into WordPress websites to provide enhanced gallery features, allowing users to create stylish media displays. Its versatility makes it popular among users who want better control over media content organization and presentation. The plugin is often employed to elevate user engagement with visual content. Additionally, it offers setup flexibility to cater to different theme requirements and multimedia content types, making it a valuable asset in content management. Users appreciate its intuitive interface, allowing them to easily navigate and manage vast amounts of media without needing advanced technical skills.

The vulnerability involves directory listing due to insecure default configuration within the WordPress Plugin Media Gallery Pro. This type of exposure can give unauthorized users the ability to view directory contents, potentially accessing sensitive files. When directory listing is enabled, it becomes straightforward for attackers to gather information about the structure and files of a web server. This vulnerability is critical as it may lead to further exploitation, utilizing other identified weaknesses within the configuration. Such exposure often arises from careless security practices or oversight in default settings, leaving a potential entry point for security breaches. The risk is heightened when public-facing websites fail to restrict access to these interior directory lists.

Technical details reveal that the WordPress Plugin Media Gallery Pro does not adequately restrict directory listing by default in its installation. The end point specifically involves the directory path at "wp-content/plugins/easy-media-gallery-pro/". The vulnerability may present itself when the server returns HTTP status code 200 with prominent terms like "Index of," indicating full access to the directory list. As a result, attackers can gain insight into the site’s internal structure and delve into available directories and files. This kind of directory exposure is a clear indicator of a misconfigured server or inadequate file permission settings. Furthermore, without proper attention, it opens avenues for performing reconnaissance on the server, branching out to identify more severe flaws.

Exploiting this vulnerability can have numerous adverse effects, including unauthorized access to sensitive file contents and internal server paths. Potential attackers could gather critical system information leading to targeted attacks exploiting other vulnerabilities. Directory listings might point attackers toward backup files, configuration files, or hidden parts of a website that contain vulnerabilities. There is also a risk of data leakage, where attackers harvest information to construct phishing schemes or inject malware into systems. The overall security integrity of the website becomes compromised, putting both site administrators and visitors at risk of further cyber threats. This exposure might also result in business reputation harm due to perceived negligence in maintaining website security.

REFERENCES

• https://www.exploit-db.com/ghdb/6455