CVE-2024-39619: Cridio Listingpro Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2024-39619 Overview

CVE-2024-39619 is an Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability discovered in the CridioStudio ListingPro WordPress plugin (listingpro-plugin). This vulnerability enables unauthenticated PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), allowing attackers to read arbitrary files from the server or potentially execute malicious PHP code by including local files that contain attacker-controlled content.

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation and sanitization of user-supplied input used in file path operations. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw without authentication by crafting malicious requests that traverse directory structures to access files outside the intended web directory.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this path traversal vulnerability to include arbitrary PHP files, potentially leading to complete server compromise, sensitive data exposure, and remote code execution on affected WordPress installations.

Affected Products

• CridioStudio ListingPro Plugin for WordPress versions through 2.9.4
• WordPress installations running vulnerable ListingPro plugin versions
• Web servers hosting affected ListingPro-powered listing directories

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-08-01 - CVE CVE-2024-39619 published to NVD
• 2026-04-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-39619

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as Path Traversal. The ListingPro plugin fails to properly validate and sanitize file path parameters before using them in PHP file inclusion operations. This allows attackers to use directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to escape the intended directory and access arbitrary files on the server.

The unauthenticated nature of this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires no prior access or credentials to exploit. An attacker can send specially crafted HTTP requests directly to the vulnerable endpoint, bypassing normal access controls entirely. When combined with Local File Inclusion capabilities, this creates a severe attack surface.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in PHP environments are especially dangerous because they can be chained with other techniques to achieve remote code execution. For example, attackers may include log files containing injected PHP code, uploaded files with embedded payloads, or session files with manipulated content.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-39619 lies in the ListingPro plugin's failure to implement proper input validation and path canonicalization before processing file inclusion requests. The plugin does not adequately filter or reject path traversal sequences from user-supplied input, nor does it restrict file operations to a safe directory whitelist. This allows malicious path manipulation to reach files outside the intended scope.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious HTTP requests to the vulnerable WordPress installation. The attacker constructs a request containing path traversal sequences that navigate to sensitive files such as /etc/passwd, configuration files containing database credentials, or PHP files that can be leveraged for code execution.

The attack does not require user interaction, can be performed with low complexity, and provides attackers with potential access to confidential data, the ability to modify system files, and disrupt service availability. The vulnerability is documented in detail in the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Database.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-39619

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests to the WordPress installation containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or ..%252f in URL parameters
• Web server logs showing access attempts targeting ListingPro plugin endpoints with encoded traversal patterns
• Unexpected file access attempts to sensitive system files like /etc/passwd or wp-config.php from web application processes
• Evidence of unauthorized access to WordPress configuration files or database credentials

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block requests containing path traversal patterns targeting the ListingPro plugin
• Monitor web server access logs for suspicious patterns including encoded directory traversal sequences and attempts to access files outside the web root
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on critical system and WordPress configuration files to detect unauthorized access
• Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures designed to identify Local File Inclusion exploitation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging on WordPress installations running ListingPro to capture all plugin-related requests
• Configure SIEM alerts for patterns indicative of path traversal attacks against WordPress plugins
• Regularly audit web server logs for anomalous file access patterns, particularly those involving sensitive system files
• Monitor for unusual PHP process behavior that may indicate successful exploitation and code execution

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-39619

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the ListingPro plugin to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability
• If immediate patching is not possible, consider temporarily disabling the ListingPro plugin until a fix can be applied
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing path traversal patterns targeting vulnerable endpoints
• Review server logs for evidence of exploitation attempts and investigate any suspicious activity

Patch Information

Organizations using the ListingPro WordPress plugin should immediately update to a version newer than 2.9.4 that addresses this Local File Inclusion vulnerability. Consult the Patchstack advisory for the latest patch status and recommended remediation steps. Contact CridioStudio for official patch guidance if updates are not yet available through the WordPress plugin repository.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules configured to detect and block path traversal sequences in HTTP requests
• Restrict PHP file inclusion functionality using open_basedir configuration to limit the directories PHP can access
• Implement server-level access controls to prevent the web server process from reading sensitive files outside the web root
• Consider using WordPress security plugins that provide virtual patching capabilities for known vulnerabilities

# Apache .htaccess example to block common path traversal patterns
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.%2f|\.\.%252f) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (\.\./|\.\.%2f|\.\.%252f) [NC]
    RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>