WordPress WP Mail SMTP Improper File Process Scanner

WordPress is a widely used content management system, enabling users to create and manage websites efficiently. The WP Mail SMTP plugin is designed to improve email deliverability by reconfiguring WordPress to use a proper SMTP provider. This plugin is frequently used by website administrators to ensure that emails from their WordPress sites are successfully delivered to users' inboxes rather than their spam folders. The plugin supports several SMTP providers, making it flexible for use with many different email services. The convenience offered by this plugin makes it a popular choice among WordPress site owners striving for reliable email handling. However, the popularity and widespread use can also make it a target for exploitation if vulnerabilities are present.

The vulnerability in question allows for improper file processing which can lead to full path disclosure. Full path disclosure vulnerabilities can occur when web applications reveal the file paths of the server file system. Knowing the full path can aid attackers in mapping the file system, uncovering potentially sensitive information, or even aiding in further exploitation such as Local File Inclusion attacks. Such vulnerabilities typically arise due to improper handling of inputs or error messages that reveal unnecessary information. Improper file processing poses significant risks if not identified and mitigated, especially in widely deployed applications. This makes detection and addressing of such vulnerabilities crucial to maintaining the security integrity of web applications.

The vulnerability specifics of the WP Mail SMTP plugin are related to direct access to certain plugin files which leads to a full path disclosure. Attackers can exploit vulnerable endpoints such as certain plugin file paths that return error messages revealing the full file path. The paths identified with this vulnerability include WPMailSMTP.php, autoload.php, and Core.php. When accessed directly, these files can return a 'Fatal error' or 'Uncaught Error' that includes path information. Detection involves accessing these files and checking for characteristic error messages that contain path disclosures. Proper handling of file access and error messaging can prevent such vulnerabilities.

If left unaddressed, exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized exposure of the application's filesystem structure. This exposure could serve as a foothold for attackers, facilitating more serious attacks like Local File Inclusion, where attackers can read arbitrary files from the server. Moreover, knowing the server's directory structure can also help break the security barriers by aiding in brute-force attacks against specific known file paths. Over time, exposure to such vulnerabilities can erode user trust and damage the application's reputation. Therefore, it's vital for website administrators to be aware of this and take action to protect their systems from exploitation.

REFERENCES

• https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-mail-smtp/