WordPress EC2 Instance: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Identify a Vulnerable Plugin
🕵️♀️ Vulnerability Discovery:
Research: Use vulnerability databases like CVE Details or exploit databases to find known vulnerabilities in popular WordPress plugins.
Plugin Scanning: Employ vulnerability scanners or manual techniques to identify outdated or vulnerable plugins on the target WordPress site.
Step 2: Exploit the Vulnerability
🥷 Exploitation:
Unauthenticated Privilege Escalation:
If you've found a plugin like "Essential Addons for Elementor" with known vulnerabilities, exploit it to gain unauthorized access to the WordPress admin panel.
This could involve sending crafted HTTP requests or exploiting insecure input validation and sanitization.
Step 3: Upload a Web Shell
🛡 Payload Delivery:
Web Shell Upload:
Once you have gained access to the WordPress admin panel, upload a malicious PHP file (e.g., b374k shell) to the server.
This shell will provide a backdoor for remote code execution.
Step 4: Access AWS Metadata Service (IMDSv2)
🔑 Credential Retrieval:
Leverage Instance Metadata:
Use the uploaded web shell to access the AWS Instance Metadata Service (IMDSv2).
This service provides information about the EC2 instance, including IAM roles and security credentials.
Step 5: Configure a Profile
⚙️ Profile Configuration:
Create a New Profile:
Use the retrieved credentials to create a new AWS profile.
This profile will allow you to access other AWS services associated with the EC2 instance.
Step 6: Retrieve the Flag from S3 Bucket
🏆 Flag Retrieval:
Access S3 Bucket:
Use the newly created AWS profile to access the S3 bucket where the flag is stored.
Download the flag file and analyze its contents.
Step 1: Identify a Vulnerable Plugin
🕵️♀️ Vulnerability Discovery:
Research: Use vulnerability databases like CVE Details or exploit databases to find known vulnerabilities in popular WordPress plugins.
Plugin Scanning: Employ vulnerability scanners or manual techniques to identify outdated or vulnerable plugins on the target WordPress site.
Step 2: Exploit the Vulnerability
🥷 Exploitation:
Unauthenticated Privilege Escalation:
If you've found a plugin like "Essential Addons for Elementor" with known vulnerabilities, exploit it to gain unauthorized access to the WordPress admin panel.
This could involve sending crafted HTTP requests or exploiting insecure input validation and sanitization.
Step 3: Upload a Web Shell
🛡 Payload Delivery:
Web Shell Upload:
Once you have gained access to the WordPress admin panel, upload a malicious PHP file (e.g., b374k shell) to the server.
This shell will provide a backdoor for remote code execution.
Step 4: Access AWS Metadata Service (IMDSv2)
🔑 Credential Retrieval:
Leverage Instance Metadata:
Use the uploaded web shell to access the AWS Instance Metadata Service (IMDSv2).
This service provides information about the EC2 instance, including IAM roles and security credentials.
Step 5: Configure a Profile
⚙️ Profile Configuration:
Create a New Profile:
Use the retrieved credentials to create a new AWS profile.
This profile will allow you to access other AWS services associated with the EC2 instance.
Step 6: Retrieve the Flag from S3 Bucket
🏆 Flag Retrieval:
Access S3 Bucket:
Use the newly created AWS profile to access the S3 bucket where the flag is stored.
Download the flag file and analyze its contents.