CVE-2019-1000031 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2019-1000031 pertains to a vulnerability in the article2pdf Wordpress plug-in versions 0.24 to 0.27 that can lead to disk space exhaustion due to PDF file creation without deletion.

Understanding CVE-2019-1000031

This CVE involves a specific issue in the article2pdf Wordpress plug-in that can have significant consequences for affected systems.

What is CVE-2019-1000031?

The problem lies in the article2pdf_getfile.php file within the plug-in, where visiting the PDF generation link without following the redirect can result in the creation of PDF files on disk that are never deleted.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1000031

The vulnerability can exhaust disk space or quota on the system, potentially leading to operational issues and denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1000031

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows for the indefinite creation of PDF files on disk, contributing to disk space consumption.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: article2pdf Wordpress plug-in
Vendor: article2pdf
Versions: 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27

Exploitation Mechanism

Visiting the PDF generation link without following the redirect triggers the issue, leading to the accumulation of PDF files on disk.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-1000031 requires specific actions to mitigate risks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or uninstall the affected plug-in versions immediately.
Monitor disk space usage regularly to detect any unusual growth.
Implement access controls to restrict PDF generation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plug-ins and software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits to identify and address potential risks proactively.

Patching and Updates

Check for patches or updated versions from the vendor to resolve the vulnerability.