CVE-2010-4257 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the do_trackbacks function in wp-includes/comment.php in WordPress before 3.0.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the Send Trackbacks field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4257 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WordPress content management system that affected versions prior to 3.0.2. This vulnerability specifically targets the do_trackbacks function located in the wp-includes/comment.php file, which serves as a core component responsible for handling trackback functionality within the WordPress ecosystem. The flaw enables authenticated attackers who possess valid user credentials to exploit the system's database interactions through malicious input manipulation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the trackback processing mechanism. When users submit trackback data through the Send Trackbacks field, the application fails to properly escape or filter the input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This oversight creates an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted input can alter the intended query structure, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user. The vulnerability operates under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in data validation and input sanitization processes.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to WordPress installations as it requires only authenticated access rather than administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user accounts may be compromised or where attackers can obtain legitimate credentials through social engineering or other means. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential complete database compromise, unauthorized content modification, and in severe cases, the ability to escalate privileges to system-level access depending on the database configuration and user permissions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, configuration details, and potentially gain access to underlying server resources through database-based attacks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting web application interfaces. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation even for authenticated users, as the principle of least privilege must extend to all user interactions within web applications. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of regular security updates and patch management processes, as WordPress 3.0.2 included fixes specifically addressing this flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual database activity patterns and ensure that all WordPress installations maintain current security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to WordPress version 3.0.2 or later, implementation of web application firewalls with SQL injection detection capabilities, and enhanced input validation mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing database user privilege separation, limiting the database permissions available to WordPress applications, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress installations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for maintaining up-to-date security practices and the importance of treating all user interactions within web applications with appropriate security scrutiny regardless of authentication status.