CVE-2011-5286 in Social Slider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in social-slider-2/ajax.php in the Social Slider plugin before 7.4.2 for WordPress allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the rA array parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The CVE-2011-5286 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the social slider plugin for wordpress systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 7.4.2 and resides in the ajax.php file of the plugin. The flaw manifests through improper input validation of the rA array parameter, which allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the database layer. The vulnerability falls under the category of cwe-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration framework, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the rA array parameter sent to the ajax.php endpoint. This parameter is processed without proper input filtering, enabling attackers to craft malicious sql payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the underlying database. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the plugin's ajax functionality, which typically operates with elevated privileges to handle user interactions and data processing. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform read, write, and delete operations on database tables, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to wordpress installations. Successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, user credential theft, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject backdoors, modify content, or escalate privileges to gain administrative control over wordpress sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where wordpress installations are not regularly updated, as it remains exploitable for extended periods without proper patch management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5286 focus primarily on immediate patching of the social slider plugin to version 7.4.2 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. System administrators should implement web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious sql injection attempts targeting the affected ajax.php endpoint. Additionally, regular security audits of wordpress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify outdated components that may harbor similar vulnerabilities. The remediation approach aligns with attack technique tt0001 from the mitre attack framework, which emphasizes credential access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement proper input validation practices and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in custom applications, following the principle of least privilege for database access and maintaining comprehensive monitoring of database activities for early detection of unauthorized access attempts.