WordPress Simple Social Icons Full Path Disclosure Detection Scanner

The WordPress Simple Social Icons scanner is used by website administrators, security professionals, and developers to identify potential security misconfigurations in the WordPress Simple Social Icons plugin. Its primary purpose is to detect publicly accessible files that expose sensitive server path information due to inadequate protection settings. This tool is crucial for maintaining the security posture of WordPress sites using the Simple Social Icons plugin. It helps web professionals to ensure that their websites do not inadvertently expose sensitive information to unauthorized users. Regular scanning with this tool can help in identifying and rectifying security misconfigurations promptly. By using this scanner, users can proactively secure their WordPress installations, safeguarding them from potential attacks.

The vulnerability detected by this scanner involves the exposure of sensitive server path information through PHP error messages. This occurs when files in the Simple Social Icons plugin are accessed directly without proper protection. The lack of ABSPATH protection in the plugin configuration is a critical factor leading to this vulnerability. Attackers may exploit this to gather information about the server directory structure. The information disclosure can be leveraged for further targeted attacks on the website. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control and configuration management in web applications.

Technical details about this vulnerability include the public accessibility of PHP files within the Simple Social Icons plugin directory. When accessed directly, these files reveal server path information through error messages. Specifically, accessing 'simple-social-icons.php' can trigger fatal error responses that disclose path details. The vulnerability can be exploited by sending HTTP GET requests to specific plugin file paths. The presence of terms like "Fatal error", "Uncaught Error", and relevant PHP warnings in the response body confirms the vulnerability. Ensuring these files are not directly accessible and implementing ABSPATH protection can mitigate this issue.

The possible effects of this vulnerability being exploited include unauthorized access to sensitive server information. Attackers can use disclosed path data to map the server structure, which can aid in crafting more potent attacks. Exposure of such information may lead to increased risk of successful exploitation of other vulnerabilities and unauthorized access attempts. Inadvertent information leakage can harm an organization's reputation and trustworthiness. If left unaddressed, it may lead to further security breaches and compromises of the website. Therefore, resolving these misconfigurations is essential for maintaining the integrity and security of the WordPress installation.

REFERENCES

• https://wordpress.org/plugins/simple-social-icons/