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.

