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February 14, 2025
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How to Fix CVE-2024-13365: Arbitrary File Upload Vulnerability in CleanTalk WordPress Plugin?
This article addresses a critical security vulnerability, CVE-2024-13365, affecting the Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk plugin for WordPress. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files to a vulnerable server, potentially leading to remote code execution. This guide provides security professionals with the information and steps necessary to identify, mitigate, and remediate this vulnerability, ensuring the security of their WordPress installations. The target audience includes professionals in DevSecOps, application security, product security, vulnerability management, penetration testing, and security operations.
A Short Introduction to the CleanTalk WordPress Plugin
The Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk plugin is a popular WordPress security solution designed to protect websites from various online threats. It offers features such as malware scanning, vulnerability detection, and security hardening to safeguard WordPress installations. This plugin aims to provide a comprehensive security layer, helping website owners maintain a safe and reliable online presence.
Summary of CVE-2024-13365
CVE ID: CVE-2024-13365
Description: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (CWE-434)
CVSS Score: 9.8 (Critical)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
The Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk plugin for WordPress, in versions up to and including 2.149, is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads. The vulnerability stems from the checkUploadedArchive() function, which handles the uploading and extraction of .zip archives during malware scanning. This function lacks sufficient validation and restrictions, allowing unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files to the affected server. The critical nature of this vulnerability lies in its potential to bypass security measures and directly compromise the server's file system.
Impact of CVE-2024-13365
The impact of CVE-2024-13365 is severe due to the potential for unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files, which can lead to remote code execution. A successful exploit can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical), this vulnerability poses a significant threat. The attack vector is network-based, requires no user interaction, and has low attack complexity, making it easily exploitable. This complete compromise can lead to data breaches, website defacement, or the use of the server for malicious activities like spamming or hosting illegal content.
Products Affected by CVE-2024-13365
The following table summarizes the affected and unaffected products and versions:
|
Product
|
Version(s) Affected
|
Version(s) Not Affected
|
|---|---|---|
|
Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk plugin for WordPress
|
Up to and including 2.149
|
Versions later than 2.149 (if available)
|
How to Check Your Product is Vulnerable?
To determine if your WordPress installation is vulnerable to CVE-2024-13365, follow these steps:
1. Check Plugin Version: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to the "Plugins" section. Identify the "Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk" plugin and check its version number. If the version is 2.149 or earlier, your installation is vulnerable.
2. File Upload Directory Monitoring: Monitor the WordPress uploads directory (/wp-content/uploads/) for any unusual or unexpected files. Look for files with suspicious names or extensions that you did not intentionally upload.
3. Web Server Logs: Examine your web server logs for any HTTP POST requests targeting the plugin's upload functionality. Look for requests with unusual file extensions or large file sizes.
How to Fix CVE-2024-13365?
Addressing CVE-2024-13365 requires immediate action to protect your WordPress installation. Here's a breakdown of the recommended remediation strategies:
Update the Plugin: This is the primary and most effective solution. Check for updates to the Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk plugin within your WordPress dashboard. If an update is available that addresses this vulnerability (a version later than 2.149), apply it immediately.
Temporary Plugin Disablement: If an update is not immediately available, temporarily disable the Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk plugin to prevent potential exploitation. This can be done through the WordPress admin dashboard in the "Plugins" section. This is a temporary measure until a patch or update is released.
Web Application Firewall (WAF): Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious traffic and block potential exploit attempts. Configure the WAF to block requests with suspicious file extensions or those attempting to upload files to sensitive directories.
Input Validation and File Upload Restrictions: Implement strict input validation and file upload restrictions on the server side to prevent arbitrary file uploads. This may require custom coding or the use of additional security plugins.
Monitor Server Logs: Monitor server logs for any suspicious file upload activities, such as unusual file extensions or large file sizes. Set up alerts for any detected anomalies.
Regular WordPress and Plugin Updates: Ensure that your WordPress core and all other installed plugins are up-to-date to minimize the overall attack surface. Regularly check for and apply security updates and patches.
Consult CleanTalk's Official Channels: Monitor CleanTalk's official website and support channels for any security advisories or updates related to this vulnerability. They may provide specific recommendations or workarounds tailored to their product.
By implementing these remediation strategies, security professionals can effectively mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2024-13365 and protect their WordPress installations from potential exploitation. You can find more information about this vulnerability on NVD.nist.gov. Furthermore, examining the code changes that address the flaw in CleanTalk's repository can be beneficial. Wordfence also provides threat intelligence on this vulnerability. Consider implementing a patch management strategy to stay ahead of potential issues. This involves balancing security, productivity, and downtime. A Web Application Firewall (WAF) can filter malicious traffic. To understand the importance of security, explore essential files and directories in Linux. Learn more about arbitrary file upload vulnerability. Understanding the CVSS base metrics is also very important.
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Arun KL
Arun KL is a cybersecurity professional with 15+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, cloud security, vulnerability management, Penetration Testing, security operations, and incident response. He is adept at designing and implementing robust security solutions to safeguard systems and data. Arun holds multiple industry certifications including CCNA, CCNA Security, RHCE, CEH, and AWS Security.
