1. Introduction
The WordPress A Page Flip Book Plugin for WordPress ‘pageflipbook_…’ contains a vulnerability allowing arbitrary code execution. This means an attacker could run commands on your web server, potentially taking full control of the website and any connected systems. Websites using this plugin are at risk, particularly those with public access. Successful exploitation can lead to complete site compromise including data loss, defacement, or malware distribution.
2. Technical Explanation
The vulnerability occurs because the plugin doesn’t properly check user-supplied input in the ‘pageflipbook_language’ parameter within the pageflipbook.php script. This allows an attacker to inject and execute PHP code. The CVE for this issue is CVE-2012-6652. An example attack involves sending a crafted request with malicious PHP code embedded in the language parameter, which then gets executed by the server.
- Root cause: Insufficient input validation on the ‘pageflipbook_language’ parameter.
- Exploit mechanism: An attacker sends a specially crafted HTTP request to the pageflipbook.php script with malicious PHP code in the ‘pageflipbook_language’ parameter. This code is then executed by the server.
- Scope: WordPress websites using versions of the A Page Flip Book plugin prior to a fix are affected.
3. Detection and Assessment
- Quick checks: Check the plugin’s details in the WordPress admin panel under ‘Plugins’. Look for the installed version number.
- Scanning: Nessus vulnerability scanner ID 82cd92a6 can detect this issue. This is provided as an example only.
- Logs and evidence: Examine web server access logs for requests to pageflipbook.php with unusual parameters in the ‘pageflipbook_language’ field.
# No command available, check WordPress admin panel directly.4. Solution / Remediation Steps
4.1 Preparation
- State backups: Create a full backup of your WordPress site, including files and database.
- Services to stop: No services need stopping for this process.
- Roll back plan: Restore the backup if the update causes issues.
4.2 Implementation
- Step 1: Update the A Page Flip Book plugin to the latest version available through the WordPress admin panel (‘Plugins’ -> ‘Plugin Updates’).
- Step 2: If no updates are available, deactivate and remove the plugin completely.
4.3 Config or Code Example
Before
# No code example available, as the vulnerability is within plugin logic. Focus on updating/removing the plugin.After
# Plugin updated or removed. Verify in WordPress admin panel under 'Plugins'.4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability
Several security practices can help prevent this type of issue. Consider these when managing your website.
- Practice 1: Input validation is essential to block malicious data from reaching the server.
- Practice 2: Least privilege ensures that even if an attacker gains access, their impact is limited.
4.5 Automation (Optional)
No automation steps are available for this specific vulnerability.
# No automation script provided.5. Verification / Validation
Confirm the fix worked by checking the plugin version and re-testing for the vulnerability.
- Post-fix check: Check the A Page Flip Book plugin version in the WordPress admin panel (‘Plugins’). Ensure it is updated to the latest available version or that the plugin has been removed.
- Re-test: Use Nessus scanner ID 82cd92a6 again to confirm the vulnerability is no longer detected.
- Smoke test: Verify core website functionality, such as page loading and form submissions, still work correctly.
- Monitoring: Monitor web server logs for any unusual activity related to pageflipbook.php.
# No command available, check WordPress admin panel directly.6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring
Implement these measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
- Baselines: Regularly review and update your WordPress security baseline, including plugin requirements.
- Asset and patch process: Establish a regular schedule for reviewing and applying updates to all plugins and themes.
7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back
Be aware of potential risks during the update process and have a roll back plan in place.
- Risk or side effect 2: Removing the plugin may break functionality that relies on it.
- Roll back: Restore your WordPress site from the backup created in step 4.1 if any issues occur.
8. References and Resources
Consult these resources for more information about this vulnerability.
- Vendor advisory or bulletin: No official vendor advisory available at this time.
- NVD or CVE entry: CVE-2012-6652
- Product or platform documentation relevant to the fix: Nessus vulnerability details