WordPress < 2.8.4 'wp-login.php' 'key' Parameter Remote Administrator Password Reset (uncredentialed check)

medium Nessus Plugin ID 40578

Synopsis

The remote web server contains a PHP application that is affected by a security bypass vulnerability.

Description

According to its version number, the version of WordPress running on the remote server has a flaw in the password reset mechanism.
Validation of the secret user activation key can be bypassed by providing an array instead of a string. This allows anyone to reset the password of the first user in the database, which is usually the administrator. A remote attacker can use this to repeatedly reset the password, leading to a denial of service condition.

Solution

Upgrade to WordPress 2.8.4 or later.

See Also

https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2009/Aug/113

https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/11798

https://wordpress.org/news/2009/08/2-8-4-security-release/

Plugin Details

Severity: Medium

ID: 40578

File Name: wordpress_password_reset_ver.nasl

Version: 1.21

Type: remote

Family: CGI abuses

Published: 8/12/2009

Updated: 6/5/2024

Configuration: Enable paranoid mode

Supported Sensors: Nessus

Enable CGI Scanning: true

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 6.6

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: Medium

Base Score: 6.4

Temporal Score: 5

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:P

Vulnerability Information

CPE: cpe:/a:wordpress:wordpress

Required KB Items: installed_sw/WordPress, www/PHP, Settings/ParanoidReport

Excluded KB Items: Settings/disable_cgi_scanning

Exploit Ease: No exploit is required

Patch Publication Date: 8/12/2009

Vulnerability Publication Date: 8/10/2009

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2009-2762

BID: 36014

CWE: 255

Secunia: 36237