Core File Protection in Content Management Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content management systems (CMS) like WordPress are vulnerable to malicious uploads and injections due to their core files being susceptible to modifications, leading to security and compatibility issues, as malware frequently targets these core folders and files.
Innovation Solution
A proactive defense PHP module is implemented to detect and prevent malicious script execution and uploads by utilizing an exclude list of trusted file paths and functions, blocking write functions and script execution at the RINIT level, and dynamically managing exclusion entries to reduce false positives and negatives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If core files are made accessible for modification, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments file paths into core folder paths and non-core paths, applying different security rules to each segment. Core files are protected by default while allowing modifications to non-core files, thus maintaining ease of operation for legitimate changes while preventing malware injection into critical system files.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary anti-action by proactively blocking script execution and write operations in core folders before malware can execute or persist. The exclude list mechanism pre-identifies legitimate files that should be protected, and the system preemptively prevents any modification attempts to these files while allowing legitimate development workflows for non-core files.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If script execution is blocked in core folders, then security is improved, but productivity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts security rules based on the execution context. The exclude list allows the system to dynamically permit execution of legitimate scripts while blocking malicious ones. The rules engine dynamically evaluates each script execution request against the exclude list and security policies, providing flexible control that maintains productivity for legitimate operations while preventing malware execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through the exclude list that learns from legitimate execution patterns. When legitimate scripts are identified, they are added to the exclude list, providing feedback that refines future execution decisions. This feedback loop ensures that legitimate productivity needs are met while maintaining security against unknown malware variants.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If write functions are blocked for all files, then security is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by implementing different write protection rules for different file locations. Core folder files have write functions blocked by default to prevent injection, while non-core files allow write operations for legitimate customization. This localized approach to write protection maintains security for critical files while preserving ease of operation for user-generated content and theme files.
4Measurement precision
If an exclude list is maintained for legitimate files, then false positives are reduced, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically generating and maintaining the exclude list based on file path patterns and execution feedback. The proactive defense module automatically updates the exclude list as legitimate files are identified through execution patterns and user interactions, reducing the manual burden of list management while improving detection accuracy over time through automated learning from system behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and method for protecting core files in a content management system (CMS). In one aspect, a method includes detecting execution of a script on a computing device. In response to determining that the script is located in the core folder and is not included in an exclude list that includes paths of scripts and files that are marked as not malicious, the method includes blocking the execution of the script. If the script is not in the core folder, the method includes determining whether the script will upload, to the core folder, a file that is not in the exclude list. In response to determining that the script will upload the file to the core folder, the method includes blocking write functions in the script during the execution.