CNVD-2015-03375 Scanner

WordPress Simple Backup is a plugin designed for the WordPress platform, aiming to ease the backup process for users managing WordPress websites. Developed primarily using PHP, this plugin is vital for site administrators and developers who need to preserve their site's data by creating backups regularly. It helps automate the backup process and ensures that users can restore their site in the event of data loss or corruption. The plugin is widely used in conjunction with WordPress, a leading content management system employed by millions worldwide for blogging and website management.

The vulnerability found in the Simple Backup plugin is a type of Arbitrary File Download, allowing unauthorized users to access and download files from the web server. This security flaw can be exploited by attackers to read sensitive files stored on the server, which are otherwise not accessible to users. This kind of vulnerability typically arises when user input is inadequately sanitized, allowing potentially dangerous file paths to be accessed and manipulated. The exposure of this vulnerability is significant as it poses a risk to the confidentiality and integrity of user data stored on the server.

Technically, the vulnerability is present in the 'tools.php' page of the Simple Backup plugin, where insufficient validation of user input allows malicious actors to execute directory traversal attacks, culminating in arbitrary file download. The specific parameter affected is 'download_backup_file', which is used in crafting a URL that allows the downloading of critical files like 'wp-config.php'. This process involves exploiting inadequate security controls around file paths, enabling unauthorized file access.

When malicious users exploit this vulnerability, they can download sensitive files which may contain credentials or configuration details crucial to the web application's operations. This could lead to unauthorized access to the web server, database manipulations, data theft, or further exploitation to gain control over the site. The potential impacts extend to damaging user trust, financial losses, and reputational harm to the affected sites.