CVE-2012-5310 in WP e-Commerce
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the WP e-Commerce plugin before 3.8.7.6 for WordPress allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The CVE-2012-5310 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the WP e-Commerce plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability affected versions prior to 3.8.7.6 and created a significant security risk for WordPress websites utilizing this popular e-commerce solution. The vulnerability allowed remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands into the application's database layer through unspecified input vectors, potentially enabling complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive customer information.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the WP e-Commerce plugin's codebase. When user input was processed without proper escaping or parameterization, attackers could manipulate sql queries by injecting malicious sql code through various interface points. This flaw aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, where insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data leads to unauthorized database access. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for online stores handling sensitive customer data including personal information, payment details, and order histories.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5310 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and business disruption. Attackers could potentially gain read access to customer databases, modify product listings, alter pricing information, and even execute administrative commands on the affected WordPress installations. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability meant that attackers could target multiple sites simultaneously without physical access to the systems, creating widespread potential for data breaches and financial losses. Organizations running vulnerable versions faced risks of regulatory penalties under data protection laws, loss of customer trust, and potential legal liability from compromised customer information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patching of the WP e-Commerce plugin to version 3.8.7.6 or later, which implemented proper input validation and sql query parameterization. System administrators should have conducted comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected installations and ensured that automatic update mechanisms were enabled for WordPress core and plugin components. Additional security measures included implementing web application firewalls to monitor for sql injection patterns, conducting regular security audits of installed plugins, and establishing robust backup procedures to facilitate quick recovery from potential compromise. The vulnerability also highlighted the importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and regular security updates as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including the NIST cybersecurity framework and ISO 27001 standards. Organizations should have implemented monitoring solutions to detect unusual database access patterns and established incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.