CVE-2007-3140 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in xmlrpc.php in WordPress 2.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a parameter value in an XML RPC wp.suggestCategories methodCall, a different vector than CVE-2007-1897.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3140 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in WordPress version 2.2's xmlrpc.php file. This security weakness specifically targets the XML-RPC wp.suggestCategories method call, which operates as a remote procedure call interface enabling external systems to interact with WordPress functionality. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation within the xmlrpc.php implementation, allowing authenticated users to manipulate parameter values and inject malicious SQL commands into the underlying database queries. Unlike CVE-2007-1897 which affected different attack vectors, this particular flaw leverages the XML-RPC framework's category suggestion functionality to execute unauthorized database operations. The flaw is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, where improper sanitization of user-supplied data leads to arbitrary code execution within the database context. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by compromised user accounts or attackers who have gained legitimate access to WordPress administrative interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits a specially crafted parameter value to the wp.suggestCategories method within the XML-RPC interface. The xmlrpc.php script fails to properly sanitize or escape the input data before incorporating it into SQL queries, creating a direct pathway for SQL injection attacks. Attackers can manipulate the category suggestion functionality to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the WordPress database, potentially gaining access to sensitive user credentials, content, or database structure information. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter validation in web applications and highlights how even authenticated access points can become attack vectors when input sanitization is inadequate. This flaw particularly affects WordPress 2.2 installations and represents a significant security risk as it enables attackers with valid user credentials to escalate their privileges and compromise the entire WordPress installation through database-level manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3140 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary commands within the database environment. This vulnerability can be exploited to modify or delete content, escalate privileges to administrator level access, or extract sensitive information from user databases. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it leverages the XML-RPC interface which is commonly enabled by default in WordPress installations, making it accessible to attackers who have gained legitimate user credentials. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts as a means of gaining access, and T1046 which addresses remote service access through XML-RPC interfaces. The vulnerability can be particularly devastating in multi-user environments where attackers might use compromised accounts to gain elevated privileges and access other users' data or administrative functions.
Organizations and system administrators should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions of WordPress, disabling XML-RPC functionality if not required, and implementing proper input validation controls. The recommended approach involves applying the official WordPress security patches that address this specific SQL injection vulnerability, as well as implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to xmlrpc.php endpoints. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual XML-RPC activity patterns, particularly around category suggestion methods. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms can help reduce the impact of compromised accounts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security updates and the necessity of validating all user inputs regardless of authentication status. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting XML-RPC interfaces and similar remote procedure call mechanisms that may present similar vulnerabilities.