CVE-2018-19040 : What You Need to Know

Media File Manager 1.4.2 for WordPress allows directory listing through a directory traversal vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2018-19040

The plugin enables directory listing by exploiting a directory traversal vulnerability in WordPress.

What is CVE-2018-19040?

The Media File Manager plugin 1.4.2 for WordPress allows listing directories through a directory traversal in the dir parameter of an mrelocator_getdir action to the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php URI.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19040

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive directories and files on the affected WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19040

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The plugin allows directory listing via a directory traversal vulnerability in the dir parameter of an mrelocator_getdir action to the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php URI.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the dir parameter to traverse directories and access unauthorized content.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your system from potential exploits with these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or remove the vulnerable plugin from the WordPress installation.
Regularly monitor and audit file access and permissions.
Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms.

Long-Term Security Practices

Keep WordPress and all plugins up to date with the latest security patches.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.