XML External Entity Injection via MP3 File Upload on WordPress - Safe Security
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Research

XML External Entity Injection via MP3 File Upload on WordPress

XML External Entity (XXE) injection is a web vulnerability allowing attackers to interfere with an application's XML data processing.

A user with the ability to upload files on a WordPress Server can exploit an XML parsing issue in the Media Library leading to an XXE attack. A successful implementation of this XXE attack can lead to an attacker gaining access to the sensitive files like /etc/passwd of the file system.

Key Pointers:

  • Understanding what is XML External Entity attack and mitigations to prevent it.
  • Taking a look at WordPress and understanding the vulnerability being exploited.
  • Mapping the affected versions of WordPress, its severity and mitigation.
  • Setting up the lab environment and demonstration of how the attack works in WordPress.