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CVE-2020-36848: Sensitive Information Exposure in Total Upkeep – WordPress Backup Plugin

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Overview

The CVE-2020-36848 vulnerability is a security flaw found in the Total Upkeep – WordPress Backup Plugin by BoldGrid, which exposes sensitive information to unauthorized users. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it allows potential attackers to locate and download backup files, potentially compromising the system and leading to data leakage.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2020-36848
Severity: High (7.5 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: Sensitive Information Exposure leading to system compromise and data leakage

Affected Products

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Product | Affected Versions

Total Upkeep – WordPress Backup Plugin by BoldGrid | All versions up to and including 1.14.9

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability lies in the env-info.php and restore-info.json files of the plugin. The lack of proper access controls or authentication mechanisms in these files allows an unauthenticated attacker to retrieve them. This exposure can provide an attacker with the location of backup files, which can then be downloaded and exploited.

Conceptual Example Code

Below is a conceptual representation of how an unauthenticated attacker might exploit this vulnerability using a simple HTTP GET request:

GET /wp-content/plugins/boldgrid-backup/cron/env-info.php HTTP/1.1
Host: targetsite.com

Or,

GET /wp-content/plugins/boldgrid-backup/admin/restore-info.json HTTP/1.1
Host: targetsite.com

These requests, if not properly secured, will return sensitive backup file location information that an attacker can then use to download the files directly.

Mitigation Guidance

It is recommended to apply the vendor-provided patch immediately to mitigate this vulnerability. If the patch cannot be applied immediately, use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) as a temporary mitigation measure. Additionally, regular monitoring of system logs for any suspicious activity can also aid in detecting potential exploits.

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Disclaimer:

The information and code presented in this article are provided for educational and defensive cybersecurity purposes only. Any conceptual or pseudocode examples are simplified representations intended to raise awareness and promote secure development and system configuration practices.

Do not use this information to attempt unauthorized access or exploit vulnerabilities on systems that you do not own or have explicit permission to test.

Ameeba and its authors do not endorse or condone malicious behavior and are not responsible for misuse of the content. Always follow ethical hacking guidelines, responsible disclosure practices, and local laws.

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