CVE-2011-4899 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** wp-admin/setup-config.php in the installation component in WordPress 3.3.1 and earlier does not ensure that the specified MySQL database service is appropriate, which allows remote attackers to configure an arbitrary database via the dbhost and dbname parameters, and subsequently conduct static code injection and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via (1) an HTTP request or (2) a MySQL query. NOTE: the vendor disputes the significance of this issue; however, remote code execution makes the issue important in many realistic environments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4899 resides within the WordPress installation component, specifically in the wp-admin/setup-config.php file. This flaw affects WordPress versions 3.3.1 and earlier, representing a critical security weakness that stems from inadequate validation of database connection parameters during the installation process. The issue manifests when attackers can manipulate the dbhost and dbname parameters to configure arbitrary database connections, creating a pathway for exploitation that extends beyond simple configuration manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves insufficient input validation and sanitization within the WordPress installation script. When users provide database host and name parameters through the setup-config.php interface, the application fails to properly validate these inputs against legitimate database service endpoints. This lack of proper validation creates a condition where malicious actors can inject arbitrary database connection details, potentially redirecting the installation process to connect to unauthorized database services. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" due to its exposure through web-based installation interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4899 extends significantly beyond simple database configuration manipulation, as it enables attackers to conduct static code injection and cross-site scripting attacks. When combined with the ability to specify arbitrary database connections, this vulnerability creates multiple attack vectors that can be exploited in sequence. Attackers can first establish connections to malicious database endpoints and then leverage the injection capabilities to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This progression from configuration manipulation to code execution represents a severe escalation that can compromise entire web applications and potentially lead to full system compromise.
The remote code execution capability inherent in this vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous in realistic deployment environments, despite the vendor's initial dispute regarding its significance. Modern web application security frameworks recognize that vulnerabilities enabling code execution through installation interfaces represent critical threats to system integrity. The ability to inject database queries and subsequently execute code through these pathways directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 "Command and Scripting Interpreter" and demonstrates how installation processes can become attack vectors for broader system compromise. Organizations deploying WordPress installations must consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for sophisticated attacks targeting their web infrastructure.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4899 require immediate patching of affected WordPress installations to versions that address the input validation deficiencies in the setup-config.php component. System administrators should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the installation interface and ensure that only authorized personnel can perform WordPress installations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious parameter manipulation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of validating all user inputs during installation processes and demonstrates how seemingly benign configuration parameters can become critical security entry points when insufficiently validated. Regular security assessments of web application installation interfaces should be conducted to identify similar validation weaknesses that could enable similar exploitation pathways.